Dick Smith sums it up well IMO. exerpt from ABC Online... Entrepreneur and aviation expert Dick Smith says the union dispute and ensuing chaos is a result of passengers' high demand for low international airfares.
"That's been forced on the workers by us Australians, we're the ones who decided that we wanted to go with very low airfares," he said.
"An Australian business can't compete. You cannot pay Australian wages if you want globalised prices for things. When it comes to flying overseas, we all want low prices.
"I do have great sympathy for the pilots. Politicians protect their wages - you can't bring in cheap Chinese politicians." ---------------
Dick is essentially saying what I did last night, this is a conundrum for which there is no satisfactory solution. If Aussie wages are to be lowered then the Aussie cost of living also needs be lowered. But how do you do that!!!! Asian staff work maybe 80% cheaper than Aussie staff but the cost of living in most Asian countries (Singapore excepted) is 80% lower than in Australia, so relatively speaking the wages are similar. So what can be done...anyone have any ideas? Dave R.
