Hundreds of airline industry supply chain workers are expected to strike on Monday, September 12, causing further chaos at Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide airports.
More than 350 ground handlers from various companies employed by airlines including Qantas and Emirates will walk off the job for 24 hours, affecting mainly international travel but potentially domestic travel as well.
Workers are expected to strike for better pay and conditions, while Menzies workers in NSW and Victoria will apply to the Fair Work Commission for a protected action vote.
More than 350 Qantas workers in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide will strike next Monday over declining working conditions. (new)
Dnata workers are pushing for greater financial security and wage increases, including more stable work for part-time workers.
TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said many employees are distressed by the prospect of worsening wages at a time when the airline industry is already struggling with massive worker shortages.
“Onshore workers at Dnata and Menzies are being forced to strike for the first time because they cannot afford to remain in this industry if the extreme downward spiral in pay and conditions continues,” he said.
“Groundhandling is a highly skilled job, but thousands of experienced workers have been forced out of the industry by Qantas’ illegal outsourcing and the Morrison government refusing JobKeeper to Dnata workers.
96 per cent of Qantas and Dnata ground operators support the strike, which is expected to cause delays for both domestic and international travellers. (new)
“Those who remain are scrambling to pick up the pieces for the rest.”
Kaine said many employees feel they are being forced out of the industry.
“Workers understand the commercial pressure they are under from Qantas, but Dnata and Menzies must act responsibly and come back to the table to settle a fair deal or risk losing more staff,” he said.
The strike is expected to mainly affect those traveling internationally with flow-on effects for the domestic terminal.
A Qantas spokesman confirmed that the airline has measures in place to deal with the expected staff shortage on September 12 and that the strike will be felt across the travel industry.
“Enterprise agreement negotiations are a matter for Dnata and its employees,” the spokesman said.
“Dnata provides services to more than 20 airlines at airports in Australia and any industrial action would have an impact on the international aviation sector.
“We have contingency plans in place to minimize the impact on our international customers.”