Qantas passengers are being warned of cancellations and delays as more than 50 fuelers in the airline’s supply chain at Sydney Airport plan to strike.
The six-hour strike is planned for July 31 and comes after oil company Ampol rejected an offer to provide fairer pay, better hours and more full-time jobs.
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) is taking strike action after 14 meetings with Ampol over the past six months failed to produce a fair deal.
Those meetings also included crisis talks following a unanimous vote by workers to take action.
Qantas passengers are being warned of cancellations and delays as more than 50 fuelers in the airline’s supply chain at Sydney Airport plan to go on strike.
The strikes will include:
- Night shift: one hour stoppage from 2am to 3am
- Day shift: two consecutive one-hour strikes from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- Afternoon shift: a two-hour stop from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Cancellations and delays could be widespread as Ampol serves 16 domestic and international airlines including Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar, Air New Zealand, Delta and British Airways.
TWU NSW/QLD state secretary Richard Olsen said there was no option but to take industrial action after Ampol failed to offer workers a fair deal.
“If flights are delayed or cancelled due to a strike, the blame lies solely with Ampol management for failing its workers,” Olsen said.
‘These workers are very dedicated, but they cannot accept further reductions in wages and working conditions. With the growing demand for aviation, jobs are being undervalued due to the airlines’ obsession with profits.
‘Workers need better part-time work schedules and more full-time jobs to achieve job security.
‘Airport workers across the country are overworked and exhausted, struggling with minimal wages and unstable schedules.
‘The relentless pursuit of profits driven by privatised airports and companies like Qantas has plunged the aviation industry into crisis.
“We urgently need a Safe and Secure Skies Commission to set fair standards and ensure there are skilled workers in every role, from the baggage room to the cockpit.” The TWU said Ampol’s refuellers have only received a 3.5 per cent pay rise in the past three years.
In addition, the company only offers 24 full-time positions out of a total of 68 employees.