THE Transport Workers Union has warned unionists are prepared to wage a year-long campaign of strikes against Qantas as thousands of airline passengers face disruption today from the latest round of stoppages by employees.
As the Gillard government stepped up its criticism of the engineers union for advising the public not to fly Qantas before Christmas, TWU national secretary Tony Sheldon said industrial action would persist until the airline backed down on its strategy to slash labour costs and move jobs offshore.
Insisting the company had "declared war" on its Australian workforce, he told The Australian: "I see our members will be taking strong action from week to week until the matter is resolved, and whether that is Christmas this year, or next year if the company is prepared to break the workforce, the workers are determined to stand up on behalf of their families and the Australian icon."
Qantas will use hundreds of managers to try to soften the impact of the strike today, but still expects to cancel 14 flights and delay 38 others for up to an hour.
The TWU will take strike action in two two-hour blocks during morning and evening peak travel times, except in Canberra.
Politicians seeking to leave the nation's capital at the conclusion of the parliamentary sitting week face a single four-hour strike.
The airline says 6800 passengers will be affected, with further disruption tomorrow as the licensed engineers union holds four-hour stoppages.
Qantas said TWU members in Sydney and Melbourne would be told they were not required to perform their duties - but would still be paid - between the start of their shift and when strike action commenced.
Qantas said the move would allow management staff to work from the start of the shift, "ensure the smooth running of the airport and minimise any further cancellations or delays".
Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese yesterday joined criticism of Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association secretary Steve Purvinas for warning passengers not to book with Qantas before Christmas.
"One of the things I don't quite understand, frankly, is the idea that it is in anyone's interests to talk down this great Australian company," he said.
Mr Albanese said he was "very concerned" about the dispute and he found the comments by Mr Purvinas "extraordinary" as "you need a strong company in order to employ people in order to have union members".
Tourism Accommodation Australia managing director Rodger Powell said the threat by unions that disruptions could continue through Christmas would have a significant impact on his sector.
Christmas was the peak holiday travel period of the year, and hotels factored increased demand for accommodation into their planning, Mr Powell said.
Capital city hotels rely on business travellers for their bread and butter and these strikes are already having an impact.
Also of concern is the impact on major events, particularly the Melbourne Cup. The huge investment by many companies in corporate hospitality could be thrown into chaos if flights were disrupted.
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