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Airport firefighters could go on strike during the peak of the upcoming holiday season over an ongoing pay dispute.
Staff at Airservices Australia, a government agency responsible for air traffic control and aviation firefighting, which is part of the United Union of Firefighters of Aviation Branch of Australia (UFUAV), will vote on strike action on Thursday.
Since September, the union has been demanding a 20 percent pay rise over three years for Airservices staff.
The UFUAV claims that staff deserve a raise as workers have suffered fatigue due to critical staff shortage issues at the company.
Airservices rejects the UFUAV’s claims and insists that it has maintained the minimum staffing requirement already negotiated with workers.
Airservices Australia firefighters could go on strike over the Easter holidays, causing major flight disruptions
The company also offered workers an 11.2 percent pay increase, worth $32 million.
In an open letter to Airservices, seen by News from heavenUFUAV Secretary Wesley Garrett accused the company of endangering the lives of passengers.
“Over the past three years, aviation firefighters have suffered real pay losses and increased demands have been placed on them following workforce cuts,” he said.
‘We believe the efforts of our members to keep airports operational during this difficult period should be recognised.
‘It is so important that aviation firefighting services are fully staffed, properly equipped and ready to respond at a moment’s notice; We are here to protect the passengers and crew of aircraft carrying large amounts of fuel and up to 500 passengers.’
Air services say the unions’ demands would cost an additional $128 million, which would then force them to increase operating costs and raise airfare prices.
If union members vote to go ahead with strikes, Airservices will have to give airlines seven days’ notice before firefighters can walk off the job.
Australia’s United Aviation Branch Firefighters Union locked in pay negotiation deals with Airservices
The exact dates of the proposed action are unknown.
The company said it would “take all available measures to minimize flight disruptions.”
Airservices Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting is Australia’s only national fire service and responds to an average of 7,000 aircraft and requests for assistance each year.