Globalisation and labour relations in Australian airlines industry: A case study of pilot experience

Globalisation and labour relations in Australian airlines industry: A case study of pilot experience Peter Schulte and Ying Zhu The University of Melbourne The 1989 pilots’ dispute fundamentally altered the nature of pilot labour relations in Australia. The once powerful pilot union was convincingly defeated by airline management with the assistance of the Government. Since the dispute ended in 1989, globalisation has become an increasingly important factors infl uencing the reform agenda for both state and airlines companies. This paper aims to research the impact that globalisation has had on the pilot labour relations in Australia through the investigation of the initiatives and response of key players such as airline management, pilot unions, and pilots themselves. The results show that the infl uence of management over the pilot labour relations process has increased substantially. The conditions of employment and their ability to collectivise through trade unions have been systematically suppressed by a series of ‘reform agenda’ with the neoliberal ideological orientation. Important challenges for the future of pilot labour relations in Australia are also considered.