Qantas Ordered to Pay Sacked Workers, Faces Major Legal Battle

Australia's Qantas Airways has been ordered to pay A$170,000 in compensation to three unlawfully sacked baggage handlers. The ruling serves as a precedent for a larger lawsuit involving about 1,700 workers. The Federal Court found Qantas' actions unwarranted, marking a significant legal challenge for the airline.

In a ruling that could have wide-ranging implications for Australia's aviation sector, Qantas Airways has been mandated to pay A$170,000 to three of its former baggage handlers, who were unlawfully dismissed in 2020. The decision sets the stage for significant compensation claims by nearly 1,700 other affected workers.

Federal Court Judge Michael Lee determined that the airline's measures, initially claimed as essential cost-cutting due to the COVID-19 pandemic, caused "harm sustained" to the workers. The ruling aims to guide future negotiations with the Transport Workers Union, as the airline faces its last major legal challenge in the wake of reputational issues during the pandemic.

Qantas, having also faced accusations of unfair practices following the pandemic, stressed its commitment to rectifying past mistakes. CEO Vanessa Hudson expressed regret and acknowledged the company's responsibility to learn from this experience, aiming to settle all outstanding claims amicably.

(With inputs from agencies.)