September 8, 2026 — 13:20 Save You have reached the maximum number of items saved. Remove items from the saved list to add new ones. AAA Former Qantas workers who were wrongfully sacked five years ago have finally been awarded a multimillion-dollar fine against the airline after a lengthy process that angered victims and the court. The vast majority of the 1,800 ground workers wrongfully sacked by Qantas in 2021 were awarded thousands of dollars in punitive damages by the court late last week, although they are still waiting for more money from the compensation fund. Former Qantas employee Tony Mora was upset by the delay. Workers received about $2,000 a year for each full year of service and $1,700 for each partial year. Brisbane’s Tony Mora, who worked as a truck driver for the airline before being laid off, said he had really “got over it” after waiting so long. “Anyway, it’s something,” he said. “There’s nothing to retire on.” The payment stems from a $90 million fine imposed on Qantas by Federal Court Judge Michael Lee in August 2025., Separate from the $120 million compensation for layoffs that Qantas paid in May 2025. The latest payment comes six years after the ground crew learned they would be sacked by Qantas. William Roberts Lawyers chief executive Robert Ishak confirmed that late last week “the Federal Court of Australia announced payment for injured workers.” “Of the more than 1,800 affected workers, approximately 20 have not yet received their salaries,” he said, adding that his law firm is also working to pay them as soon as possible. Mora said that when he saw the money come into his account, he thought, “Well, that’s something.” “There was no joy or elation,” he said. “This is not the end. That is the problem. There is still loss, pain and suffering ahead.” Years after being fired from Qantas, Natalie finally received her fine.James Brickwood Maurice Blackburn, the law firm that argued the case and administered the compensation, was given until October 31 to complete the process. Mora was skeptical that the law firm would meet the deadline. The slow pace of the compensation process has angered victims and the court. Judge Lee intervened last month to ensure $35 million in punitive damages to workers would be kept separate from Qantas’ $120 million compensation fund. Half of the $90 million went to the Transport Workers Union, which filed the lawsuit, and the remaining $40 million went to workers. Courts had already paid out about $5 million before Christmas, when workers saw an interim payment of $3,333 hit their bank accounts. One worker, “Natalie,” who received an eviction notice shortly after losing her job in 2021 when layoffs became official, said last week’s payment was helpful. The former Qantas cleaner, who did not want her name published, said she felt “a little sense of relief because it’s been tough for some of us”. The 2025 ruling ends a labor relations saga that began in 2020 when, faced with the prospect of looming pandemic restrictions, Qantas moved to outsource ground handling operations at 10 Australian airports. This decision destroyed more than 1,800 jobs. In August 2025, Justice Lee accepted that Qantas had apologized for illegal outsourcing, but called it a “wrong apology” and imposed one of the largest fines ever for an Australian corporation. The Market Recap newsletter provides an overview of the day’s trading. Receive every weekday afternoon. Save You have reached the maximum number of items saved. Remove items from the saved list to add new ones. Chris Zappone is a senior reporter covering aviation and business. He is a former digital foreign editor.Connect via X, Facebook or e-mail. From our partners Post navigation Alan Jones’ ex-colleague questions ‘loyalty’ promise Lev rejects his opponent’s monstrous offer, Saint demands an exchange