HUNDREDS INJURED: QANTAS UNSAFE STAFFING LEVELS
Hundreds of Qantas staff have been injured with unsafe staffing levels rife.
“This is not on – workers have up to a one in three chance of being seriously injured on the job,” said TWU State Secretary Wayne Forno.
“Qantas may think they’re saving money with low staffing levels - but it’s a vicious circle that costs us all. Low staffing levels cause injury, and the monetary loss for all stakeholders that goes with that.
“You lose the man power of hundreds of workers and you have to get them from somewhere.
“Injured workers create the need for inexperienced labour hire to work without adequate experience or training in airport safety and security.
“Airport security depends on a large chain of workers in ground operations, baggage, fleet, check in, maintenance, and in-flight – one link in that chain goes wrong and security is compromised for everybody on that plane."
It is reported that at one stage around one third of the workforce in ramp alone was injured.
However now injured Qantas workers claim that they are being forced back to work without being cleared by a doctor.
Injured Qantas workers have reported:
• Being coerced back to work before being medically fit, in some cases resulting in further injury
• Stress and constant harassment of workers and their family doctors by Qantas, objecting to doctor’s professional opinion that workers are unfit to return to work, to the extent one doctor will not see Qantas workers’ comp cases again and wants to close his practice
• Bullying, harassment and humiliation on their return to work for not performing while still sick –eg one worker 2 ½ weeks after a complete knee reconstruction
• Qantas failure to take seriously life threatening illnesses acquired on the job – eg a hernia which required immediate operation
• Delayed and erratic payments causing injured people to be left out of pocket
“This indicates a third-world culture of low, unsafe staffing levels leading to injury and bullying and harassment of any worker who dares to speak up about being forced to return to work early,” said Mr Forno.
“We support these workers for standing up for their rights and for safe working practices in an industry where safety is not optional and lives are at stake.
“Qantas workers deserve to work without up to a one in three risk of being seriously injured on the job.”
The TWU have circulated a petition amongst staff members with over 600 signatures calling on Qantas to deal with this pressing issue of unsafe staffing levels.
The petition is now online HERE and the public is encouraged and invited to show their support.
WorkCover have come to the International Terminal at the request of delegates and are currently investigating staffing levels and other complaints put forward by workers.
ENDS
Media contact: Tanie Sansey 9912 0703 / 0410 525 869
Qantas workers talk:
Informant F: claims that although Qantas give you the choice of your own or their doctor, they make it so hard for you that your own family doctor refuses to take on your case, and upon return to work bullying and coercion to push your capabilities when injured are rife.
“During my time of recovering and rehab on this injury [hernia] he [my family doctor] mentioned to me that Qantas Workers Comp and the Qantas Rehabilitation coordinators were constantly putting pressure on him to get me back to work a lot earlier than his professional opinion. Because of this, my doctor refused to take on my recent knee injury case, because of the stress and constant harassment he received from Qantas Workers Comp. He stated it had become so bad, he was considering retiring his practise because of it and therefore refuses to take on anymore Qantas workers comp cases.”
On treatment on his return to work after an injury:
“On numerous occasions I have felt harassed by Qantas Return to Work Coordinator. I was trying my very best with the help of my Qantas doctor, my surgeon and physio to rehabilitate and return to work at a safe workload and hours. [Qantas Return to Work Coordinators] questioned the professional opinion of both my physio and surgeon, and even their own Qantas doctor as to why I was not capable of performing ..duties after only 2 ½ weeks of a full knee reconstruction. It was very hard and upsetting...and to be made to feel like a liar. ...I felt bullied, belittled and very uncomfortable. The stress and depressed state this has caused me and my family has been immense. I felt there was not .. any duty of car from these coordinators. I have never felt so humiliated.”
Informant M:was in excruciating pain at work and Qantas showed no concern until Qantas doctor said his life was in danger if the hernia operation did not proceed straight away.
“I was injured and reported it. My treating doctor sent me to get an ultrasound due to his belief that I might have a hernia. While at work I was in constant pain but the Workers Comp rehabilitation coordinator showed no concern. While I was in excruciating pain a fellow worker assisted me to the medical centre. Once the Qantas doctor saw me he quickly made arrangements with the hospital for my operation. The doctor explained that my life was in danger if the operation didn’t’ proceed straight away. After the operation I was delegated to do light duties. However an accident at work aggravated my post-operated hernia. The treatment I received from the workers comp rehabilitation group is appalling and disappointing. I also believe I have been harassed with inappropriate comments to myself as well as my treating doctor.”
Informant N:One week after his injury it still hadn’t healed, and despite history of severe blood infection in intensive care and acute renal failure, Qantas showed no serious concern, prescribing antibiotics used for a common sore throat. Upon seeing family doctor, he discovered he had cellulitis, a serious condition which could put him in hospital again.
“I told him [Qantas rehabilitation coordinator] I was told by my doctor to stay home and keep my leg elevated and rest, and I had to be careful or I would end up in hospital. ..10 minutes later I received another call [from another representative of Qantas]... in an aggressive manner. ...I said again I was told to stay home by my GP and I had already seen a Qantas doctor and he had sent me back to work.”
“Qantas may think they’re saving money with low staffing levels - but it’s a vicious circle that costs us all. Low staffing levels cause injury, and the monetary loss for all stakeholders that goes with that.
“You lose the man power of hundreds of workers and you have to get them from somewhere.
“Injured workers create the need for inexperienced labour hire to work without adequate experience or training in airport safety and security.
“Airport security depends on a large chain of workers in ground operations, baggage, fleet, check in, maintenance, and in-flight – one link in that chain goes wrong and security is compromised for everybody on that plane."
It is reported that at one stage around one third of the workforce in ramp alone was injured.
However now injured Qantas workers claim that they are being forced back to work without being cleared by a doctor.
Injured Qantas workers have reported:
• Being coerced back to work before being medically fit, in some cases resulting in further injury
• Stress and constant harassment of workers and their family doctors by Qantas, objecting to doctor’s professional opinion that workers are unfit to return to work, to the extent one doctor will not see Qantas workers’ comp cases again and wants to close his practice
• Bullying, harassment and humiliation on their return to work for not performing while still sick –eg one worker 2 ½ weeks after a complete knee reconstruction
• Qantas failure to take seriously life threatening illnesses acquired on the job – eg a hernia which required immediate operation
• Delayed and erratic payments causing injured people to be left out of pocket
“This indicates a third-world culture of low, unsafe staffing levels leading to injury and bullying and harassment of any worker who dares to speak up about being forced to return to work early,” said Mr Forno.
“We support these workers for standing up for their rights and for safe working practices in an industry where safety is not optional and lives are at stake.
“Qantas workers deserve to work without up to a one in three risk of being seriously injured on the job.”
The TWU have circulated a petition amongst staff members with over 600 signatures calling on Qantas to deal with this pressing issue of unsafe staffing levels.
The petition is now online HERE and the public is encouraged and invited to show their support.
WorkCover have come to the International Terminal at the request of delegates and are currently investigating staffing levels and other complaints put forward by workers.
ENDS
Media contact: Tanie Sansey 9912 0703 / 0410 525 869
Qantas workers talk:
Informant F: claims that although Qantas give you the choice of your own or their doctor, they make it so hard for you that your own family doctor refuses to take on your case, and upon return to work bullying and coercion to push your capabilities when injured are rife.
“During my time of recovering and rehab on this injury [hernia] he [my family doctor] mentioned to me that Qantas Workers Comp and the Qantas Rehabilitation coordinators were constantly putting pressure on him to get me back to work a lot earlier than his professional opinion. Because of this, my doctor refused to take on my recent knee injury case, because of the stress and constant harassment he received from Qantas Workers Comp. He stated it had become so bad, he was considering retiring his practise because of it and therefore refuses to take on anymore Qantas workers comp cases.”
On treatment on his return to work after an injury:
“On numerous occasions I have felt harassed by Qantas Return to Work Coordinator. I was trying my very best with the help of my Qantas doctor, my surgeon and physio to rehabilitate and return to work at a safe workload and hours. [Qantas Return to Work Coordinators] questioned the professional opinion of both my physio and surgeon, and even their own Qantas doctor as to why I was not capable of performing ..duties after only 2 ½ weeks of a full knee reconstruction. It was very hard and upsetting...and to be made to feel like a liar. ...I felt bullied, belittled and very uncomfortable. The stress and depressed state this has caused me and my family has been immense. I felt there was not .. any duty of car from these coordinators. I have never felt so humiliated.”
Informant M:was in excruciating pain at work and Qantas showed no concern until Qantas doctor said his life was in danger if the hernia operation did not proceed straight away.
“I was injured and reported it. My treating doctor sent me to get an ultrasound due to his belief that I might have a hernia. While at work I was in constant pain but the Workers Comp rehabilitation coordinator showed no concern. While I was in excruciating pain a fellow worker assisted me to the medical centre. Once the Qantas doctor saw me he quickly made arrangements with the hospital for my operation. The doctor explained that my life was in danger if the operation didn’t’ proceed straight away. After the operation I was delegated to do light duties. However an accident at work aggravated my post-operated hernia. The treatment I received from the workers comp rehabilitation group is appalling and disappointing. I also believe I have been harassed with inappropriate comments to myself as well as my treating doctor.”
Informant N:One week after his injury it still hadn’t healed, and despite history of severe blood infection in intensive care and acute renal failure, Qantas showed no serious concern, prescribing antibiotics used for a common sore throat. Upon seeing family doctor, he discovered he had cellulitis, a serious condition which could put him in hospital again.
“I told him [Qantas rehabilitation coordinator] I was told by my doctor to stay home and keep my leg elevated and rest, and I had to be careful or I would end up in hospital. ..10 minutes later I received another call [from another representative of Qantas]... in an aggressive manner. ...I said again I was told to stay home by my GP and I had already seen a Qantas doctor and he had sent me back to work.”