Of 'kamikazes' and 'mad men': the fallout from the QANTAS industrial dispute

Abstract

The Qantas industrial dispute made headlines around the world, after the airline took the drastic step in October 2011 of grounding its fleet ahead of a proposed lockout of a large proportion of its workforce. Essentially a contest between job security and employment flexibility, the dispute was one of the most significant in Australia for some time. This article examines the origins and circumstances of the Qantas dispute and the issues it highlighted as to the operation of key aspects of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). We conclude that, particularly in light of the federal industrial tribunal’s endorsement of the airline’s strategy and support for the concept of ‘managerial prerogative’, the dispute may have long-term implications for workplace regulation in Australia.