Australia’s biggest business organisation says employers will be on notice over how they move to outsource work, after a landmark High Court ruling that Qantas illegally sacked 1700 staff during the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic.that Qantas breached the Fair Work Act when it stood down workers in 2020 and began using third-party providers.Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Andrew McKellar said the ruling would have a “wide-ranging impact” on businesses of all sizes.
The Business Council of Australia declined to comment. Australian Industry Group was also approached for comment.two rulings made by the Federal Court, which found the airline’s outsourcing of around 1700 baggage handlers, cleaners and ground staff – during the pandemic – was unlawful.“When companies outsource workers like Qantas, they effectively avoid having to bargain with their labour.
While Qantas accepted the High Court decisions and apologised to the affected staff, it did not resile from the action taken at that time.