Rex expected to cut 610 jobs as jet operations hit the scrap heap

“This is another dark day for aviation, with over 600 families faced with sudden joblessness in an industry that has taken hit after hit,” said TWU national secretary Michael Kaine.

“We are working to secure job opportunities at other airlines and aviation companies for ground crew, cabin crew and pilots, and have had positive conversations with Virgin Australia and ground handler Dnata.

“Administrators have acted swiftly to provide clarity to workers, though it is not the news workers hoped for. The focus now must be on maximising jobs, protecting regional routes, securing redeployment opportunities to other aviation businesses and ensuring entitlements are paid as soon as possible.”

Kaine has called for the Federal Government to take an equity stake in Rex to guard against further job losses, maximise worker entitlements and ensure continuity of services for regional Australia.

“The Federal Government has sent positive signals that it does not intend to leave regional Australia in the lurch. An equity stake would serve workers, regional Australia and taxpayers now and into the future,” he said.

“It would be the opposite approach to the Morrison Government bungle of billions in no-strings taxpayer funding to Qantas which went on to illegally sack 1700 workers, price-gouge customers and sell ghost flights.

“Aviation is locked in a cycle of crises. While the Rex administration is handled as quickly as possible, we also need a long-term fix to the unregulated market dominance that sees Qantas popping the champagne corks while competitors are squeezed out and workers are left on the scrap heap.”

Speaking at a press conference at Western Sydney Airport on Tuesday, Transport Minister Catherine King indicated that the Government does want to take a role in Rex’s future.

“We want to make sure that they have a future as part of aviation in this country and we’re very determined to make sure that happens. We obviously don’t want to do that just at any cost. We want to be involved very closely in what that future might look like,” she said.

“Be in no doubt, we know that Rex is very important for regional aviation and we’re very determined to make sure that those regional aviation services are there. But the government will also, if we are called upon, want to have a bit of a say about what that future looks like as well.”

Affected Rex workers can sign up for updates at twuaus.com.au/RexSignUp.