SYDNEY: Embattled Qantas Airways said Sunday its fleet would remain grounded until at least noon (0100 GMT) on Monday as the country's industrial regulator struggles to resolve a bitter industrial dispute.
"Qantas fleet remains grounded until at least midday tomorrow. A decision on afternoon flights will be made tomorrow morning," it said in a posting on Twitter.
The national carrier announced its shock decision to lock out union staff and cancel all flights indefinitely on Saturday, a move that left the country reeling and passengers scrambling for alternatives.
The travellers' fate lies in the hands of the regulator Fair Work Australia, which reconvened an emergency three-man panel Sunday and was still sitting late into the evening.
It could potentially suspend strike action for as long as 120 days so talks can take place, or order a permanent termination to the dispute and so permit Qantas to take to the skies again.
Unions representing baggage handlers, pilots and engineers have been protesting against pay and restructuring plans that would see 1,000 jobs axed and the establishment of two new Qantas group airlines focused on Asia.
Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011
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