Outsourcing a major concern for Qantas pilots

Qantas pilots have voted to take industrial action, while the carrier also faces imminent action from engineers, with union concerns over the outsourcing of employees.

Australian and International Pilots Association President Barry Jackson said pilots had taken the action, the first of its kind since 1966, over concerns about job security.

"We believe and the public believes that when you board a Qantas flight you are entitled to a Qantas pilot in the cockpit," he said.

Qantas also faces imminent action from its engineers and warehouse workers while the Transport Workers Union is moving closer to a strike ballot.

Jackson said they would seek to minimise the disruption to passengers but accused airline chief executive Alan Joyce of wanting to outsource pilot jobs.

"Qantas pilots want to continue operating Qantas flights, but they know management has plans to shift Qantas operations to Asia and start mass outsourcing," he said.

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