Chaos at airport will continue as workers plan strike

More than 350 ground workers from various companies employed by airlines such as Qantas and Emirates will be out of work for 24 hours, mainly affecting international travel, but potentially also domestic travel.

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 ballot.

Dnata workers are pushing for greater financial security and wage increases, including more stable work for part-timers.

TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said many employees are distraught over the prospect of worsening wages at a time when the airline industry is already struggling with massive worker shortages.

“Dnata and Menzies ground workers are being forced to strike for the first time because they cannot afford to stay in this industry if the extreme downward spiral in wages and conditions continues,” he said.

“Ground handling is a highly skilled job, but thousands of experienced workers have been forced out of the industry by illegal outsourcing by Qantas and the Morrison government denying Dnata JobKeeper workers.

“Those who remain rush to pick up the pieces of the leftovers.”

Kaine said many employees feel like they are being pushed 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 reach a fair deal or risk losing more staff,” he said.

The strike is forecast to primarily affect those traveling internationally with flow effects to the domestic terminal.

A Qantas spokesman confirmed that the airline has measures in place to deal with an expected shortage of workers on September 12 and that the strike will be felt across the travel industry.

“The business deal negotiations are a matter for Dnata and its employees,” the spokesperson said.

“Dnata services more than 20 airlines at airports in Australia and any industrial action would have an impact on the entire international aviation sector.

“We have contingency plans to minimize the impact on our international clients.”