Unions arguing that Qantas workers experienced JobKeeper wage theft have had an application to appeal a ruling on the matter rejected by the High Court.
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Rosters were manipulated by the airline during the COVID-19 pandemic to pocket some of its wage subsidy payments, resulting in workers being underpaid, according to an alliance of unions.
But the airline rejected claims of roster manipulation and said it administered JobKeeper as the government intended and according to advice from the Australian Taxation Office.
"Every Qantas and Jetstar employee, whether they were working or stood down, was paid at least $1500 per fortnight in line with the requirements of the first stage of JobKeeper, and then the reduced amounts specified by the government," Qantas said in a statement on Friday.
"We have always paid penalty rates and overtime in the same way, this is not something we just started doing during COVID."
In December the Federal Court upheld an appeal by Qantas against an earlier ruling that had favoured the unions' position.
The unions wanted workers to receive the JobKeeper payment as well as the full value of overtime and other penalties even if they were stood down.
But the Full Federal Court found Qantas lawfully paid penalty rates in arrears to offset the amount of wage subsidies directly passed to employees.
In January the unions launched its High Court action seeking leave to appeal that decision, with ACTU secretary Sally McManus saying it was about ensuring justice for workers.
On Thursday the Australian Services Union said Qantas avoided spending thousands in overtime payments to workers.
"This was a tricky and illegal manipulation of JobKeeper, to syphon off funds away from workers and back into the company bottom line," union assistant national secretary Emeline Gaske said in a statement.
Australian Associated Press
