Qantas Ordered to Compensate 1,700 Workers for Illegal Pandemic Layoffs

Overview

• Qantas is required to pay $170,000 in compensation to three workers as part of a Federal Court ruling on illegal layoffs.
• The ruling stems from the airline's decision to outsource 1,700 ground crew positions in 2020, deemed unlawful by the High Court.
• Compensation amounts for the three test cases were set at $30,000, $40,000, and $100,000 for non-economic losses.
• The Transport Workers Union and Qantas will enter mediation to finalize total compensation, potentially exceeding $100 million.
• Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson apologized to affected employees, acknowledging the emotional and financial toll of the layoffs.