There is much noise there about the number of job cuts in Qantas and mass outsourcing.

Much of his statement has to be seen from this angle.

Qantas has this problem also.

They have a good percentage of their flight and cabin crew who are British nationals and who live in London.They are now playing up as they want their pay to be on par if not more than their counterparts in British Airways. Becoming a huge problem now.

Also Emirates is supposed to be trying for a major stake in British Airways and then try to get a minor stake in Qantas. Emirates, like the UAE Government is now on this massive expansion spree before the oil runs out in a few decades. It is a part of the vision that the Emir has for the region to get the world's biggest and best things and be an influential player in world affairs. (But the move has evoked the reactions like one has seen in the Mittal-Arcelor bid.) Qantas is now trying to sooth employees feelings.    

But Emirates has denied the move saying their headache now is to see that their A380s arrive ------- on time!  And they are not happy at all with their A340-600 order. Airbus as usual said they may be launching a Higher Gross and better performance 600. Emirates says that it doesn;t want an outdated fleet and they want Airbus to sell them the upgraded jet. Have even threated to cancel the order. Same case with Qatar Airways.