Qantas is seeking to stop planned industrial action by Transport Workers Union members that could affect QantasLink flights and freight services next week, as school holidays begin in Queensland, Victoria and the Northern Territory.
The proposed action is a 24-hour strike on Thursday involving about 650 employees. Most work in Qantas Freight, while a smaller number service QantasLink flights from Sydney Airport. The workers do not service Qantas mainline or international flights, and the action does not involve QantasLink operations at other airports.
The disruption could affect freight services, including Australia Post shipments, and passengers travelling to selected regional destinations. Qantas said it had prepared contingency plans to limit the impact on customers and operations if the action proceeds. The airline said talks through the Fair Work Commission had been constructive and negotiations were continuing.
In a statement, Qantas said it remained committed to reaching an agreement with Qantas Ground Services employees that included annual pay increases. The company is appearing before the Fair Work Commission in an effort to prevent the union action from going ahead.
TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said workers were not taking the action lightly. He attributed the dispute to what he described as increasing casualisation and insecure employment, and alleged these conditions had contributed to safety failures. Qantas disputes the union’s claims about increased safety incidents since ground handling moved to Swissport more than five years ago.
The union said 97 per cent of 350 workers who voted supported industrial action, including stoppages lasting from one to 24 hours. Kaine also referred to the death of a Qantas Freight worker on Father’s Day and accused Qantas of fragmenting its workforce to reduce wages and worsen conditions. Qantas rejects those allegations.