Qantas threatens to move 3000 jobs offshore

SYDNEY - Qantas plans to send more than 3000 highly-skilled maintenance jobs overseas unless changes are made to work practices.

The airline is expected to make a decision early next year on whether to outsource the maintenance work, News Ltd newspapers report.

The decision would affect operations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Avalon, near Geelong in Victoria.

About 1000 members of the airline's three major maintenance unions were told jobs would go offshore unless it received concessions from its workforce.

The unions were told Qantas was hindered by a lack of flexibility and old-fashioned work practices.

Giant overseas maintenance, repair and overhaul organisations in Asia were offering record low prices and competitive turnaround times, they were told.

Airline officials said low-cost carriers like Virgin Blue and Jetstar had shown how outsourcing maintenance could simplify operations.

Sources within Qantas told the paper that the preferred option was to stay within Australia.

Meanwhile, Qantas cabin crew claim they have been exposed to drug deals, violence and a lack of privacy at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles.

To verify the complaint, Australian Industrial Relations Commission member Frank Raffaelli will fly business class to LA to check on the conditions.

Mr Raffaelli said the four-day trip was justified because Qantas employees stayed at the hotel each night, 365 days a year.

He adjourned the matter yesterday after three days of hearing in Sydney.

- AAP