The announcement of the fine comes after lengthy legal proceedings for the airline in relation to the industrial relations breach, which saw Qantas lose several appeals after challenging a finding that it had fallen foul of the Fair Work act.
“We sincerely apologise to each and every one of the 1,820 ground handling employees and to their families who suffered as a result,” said Qantas Group CEO, Vanessa Hudson, in a statement after the fine was handed down.
“The decision to outsource five years ago, particularly during such an uncertain time, caused genuine hardship for many of our former team and their families.
“The impact was felt not only by those who lost their jobs, but by our entire workforce.
“Over the past 18 months we’ve worked hard to change the way we operate as part of our efforts to rebuild trust with our people and our customers. This remains our highest priority as we work to earn back the trust we lost.”
The airline has already paid $120 million into a compensation fund for workers who were amongst those let go as part of the breach.
Of the $90 million fine, $50 million will go to the Transport Workers Union (TWU), which brought the case against Qantas on behalf of the sacked workers.
The union welcomed the penalty.
“In 2020 over 1,800 Qantas workers took on a huge and audacious battle against this airline, and today’s decision is a final win for both those workers and the tens of thousands of other TWU members who backed them every step of the way,” said TWU national secretary Michael Kaine.
“These workers took on a fight against a company with almost limitless resources, knowing it was a long shot, and today’s decision is a $90 million message to corporate Australia that workers will stand up for what’s right.”
