Qantas’ chairman has announced his resignation despite recently telling a Senate inquiry that he had no intention of resigning.
Mr Goyer is set to step down as Qantas chairman before the airline’s annual general meeting in late 2024 as part of a wider shake-up.
The 63-year-old came under fire for reportedly accepting a pay increase during a period of turmoil in the airline industry.
Transport Workers’ Union national secretary Michael Caine said Mr Goyder was prepared to earn an additional $750,000 by the time he retired.
Mr Kane said: “Why should he receive that amount after leading the illegal redundancy of 17,000 Qantas employees?”
“He’s been strangled by the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission and has a class action lawsuit being launched right in front of him.
“We want Richard Goyder out, and we want him out now to rebuild service standards.”
Mr. Cain said that after Mr. Goyder rejected calls to resign just weeks ago, he “realized that he should not be chairman.”
“It took this long for[Mr Goyder]to realize that he was presiding over the most mean-spirited corporate dictatorship in Australian history,” he said.
“We need to reshape the board. We need worker representation to avoid a situation like the one we just saw.
Former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce resigned in early September.Photo NCA NewsWire/Aaron Francis
“It’s time for renewal, and renewal cannot begin while the chairman who presided over the downfall of Australia’s great airline is still in office.”
Although he has not asked for immediate retirement, there have been calls for renewal from both the Australian and International Pilots Associations.
“AIPA has previously stated that Qantas’ board needs to be reset,” president Tony Lucas said.
“Therefore, we note that today’s announcement is the beginning of that process, and we hope it will help accelerate the renewal of our great airline.
“Of course we would like things to move faster, but at least we know we are moving in the right direction now.”
Mr. Goyder is said to have received about $2.5 million since becoming chairman in 2018 after a year on the board.
His resignation comes after he told a Senate inquiry that he had no intention of resigning following the resignation of former chief executive Alan Joyce.
Mr Joyce was replaced in September by Qantas executive Vanessa Hudson as criticism grew over the blocking of Qatar Airways flights.
Non-executive director Michael Lestrange will also step down at this year’s general meeting, and two further members are set to retire in February 2024.
Three new board members will also be running for election this year, including Ms Hudson, Mr Doug Parker and Dr Heather Smith.
Mr Goyder said the Qantas board was aware of the “significant reputational and customer service issues” facing Qantas.
“Qantas has experienced an incredibly difficult period since the pandemic grounded our flights,” he said.
“Recovery was not easy, and there were mistakes made. I would like to once again apologize for the clumsiness.
“I have always strived to act in the best interests of Qantas.
“A measured and orderly succession at board level will support the important ongoing work led by Vanessa and her new management team.
“The (Qantas) Group is in a very strong position to overcome the current challenges and serve all stakeholders in the years ahead.”
Qantas chairman Richard Goyder told a Senate inquiry in September that he had no intention of resigning.Photo: NCA NewsWire / Martin Olman
Qantas said in a statement that once the new directors are appointed, the average tenure of the board is expected to be approximately three years.
The airline said the changes would provide “a balance of fresh leadership and necessary continuity” but faced pushback from unions.
The transport union denounced Mr Goyder’s early retirement as “an attempt to retire with dignity after presiding over illegal activities”.
TWU national secretary Michael Caine urged Mr Goyder to “follow” Mr Joyce and depart this year ahead of a planned departure next year.
“This announcement is an attempt by Mr Goyder to step down gracefully with another year’s salary in his pocket after presiding over the largest case of illegal dismissal in Australian history,” Mr Kane said.
“We need to end the blind imposition of illegal acts by boards that do not vet CEOs, who are treated as CEOs by virtue of their board seats.
“A fresh start for Qantas’ governance requires a new board structure that removes the CEO and incorporates worker representatives to avoid a repeat of huge errors in judgment.”
Labor senator Tony Sheldon, who has previously clashed with Mr Joyce, also called on Mr Goyder to resign earlier than planned.
“Meaningful change would be to immediately compensate the 1,700 ground workers who were wrongfully fired and offer to hire workers who want to return to work,” Sheldon said.
Mr Joyce was replaced by Qantas executive Vanessa Hudson.Photo: NCA NewsWire / Martin Olman
“They should also support closing Qantas’ loopholes in hiring workers. During their tenure, Mr Joyce and Mr Goyder transferred much of their workforce to 38 staffing companies and subsidiaries to drive down wages. has been outsourced to.
“This will go some way to repairing the long-term damage to Qantas caused by Joyce and Goyder.”
Qantas has also recently come under fire for allegedly colluding with the federal government to prevent rival Qatar Airways from increasing its flights.
In September, the Australian and International Pilots Associations called on Mr Goyder and CEO Vanessa Hudson to resign.
The union called for a “cultural reset” and said the revelation that Mr Goyder had accepted a $100,000 pay rise amid a pay freeze was “disturbing”.
Still, Goyder supported his tenure, telling the Senate inquiry:
“I would also argue that my business history has been one of high ethics, aiming to create value for all stakeholders,” he said.
“I led the company through the global financial crisis and chaired Qantas through one of the most existential crises ever experienced by an airline.
“At this time, our principal shareholders and board of directors believe that I am the best person to chair the board to help us navigate the current situation.”