As the fall-out from the Qantas fleet grounding and return to the skies continues, Charles Sturt University (CSU) has experts available for comment on the airline dispute and its impacts on corporate appearances and the future of industrial relations in Australia.

“Qantas chief executive officer (CEO) Mr Alan Joyce has demonstrated strong communication leadership skills in the recent crisis that his organisation faced.

 

“Not only did he take decisive action that got everyone back to the negotiating table, but he also got out in front and articulated the reasons for the grounding.

 

“One group of Qantas stakeholders, shareholders, obviously were encouraged by the actions of the board and the CEO and the share price went up.

 

“Mr Joyce has been very available to all media and has been able to stay on message and affirm that as CEO he is running the organisation.”

 

Mr Alexander is completing a PhD through CSU on the communication competencies of CEOs.

“The intervention of Fair Work Australia in the Qantas dispute, which required the parties to negotiate in good faith, is something the parties ought to have done some time ago.

 

“There is a deeply ideological undercurrent to the Qantas approach that raises questions about the philosophy Australians want in industrial relations. 

 

“These include; what powers and responsibilities should parties have in an industrial dispute? At what cost to its workers should Qantas be able to restructure its business affairs? At what cost to the company should workers be able to claim improved conditions?

 

“But, most importantly, should either party be able to refuse to negotiate with the other in good faith, as Qantas has so far done. These questions are much deeper than the economic and social costs of strikes and lock-outs in the aviation industry.”