"George Orwell summed it up perfectly in his quote that 'all animals are created equal, but some animals are more equal than others'. And that was our working environment on board that aircraft every day.
On Qantas domestic hourly base rates can vary from about $40 for legacy staff, down to just $23 for newer staff hired through a subsidiary.
I don't work for a tea and coffee company. I work in a safety environment and I work on a heavy piece of machinery. I am the airline's first responder. If there is a fire I'm required to run towards it. If there is a medical emergency, I'm required to run towards it and render all help. So for that critical safety sensitive role, basically, people are now being paid the same as if they worked in a fast food outlet or worked at a supermarket." - QANTAS Steward
Playlist
Windmills of your mind by Dusty Springfield
