It is a cynicism commonly expressed that some safety issues
raised by unions are more about bargaining tactics or power plays
than genuine safety concerns. Of course, one has to be careful
about alleging such a lack of sincerity, because safety is a
serious issue and your words may come back to haunt you should the
allegedly "artificial" risk come to pass.
However, in a recent case involving Qantas, a Federal Court
judge held just this. Six maintenance engineers working for
Sunstate Airlines (QLD) found defects with aircraft doors. This had
the effect of grounding the planes, and occurred immediately after
developments (about which the union was not happy) in the course of
bargaining for a new enterprise agreement. The alleged safety
issues were found to be groundless by the Office of Transport
Security and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The engineers
were disciplined.
