Qantas passengers are being warned of cancellations and delays as more than 50 refuellers in Qantas’ supply chain at Sydney Airport plan to go on strike after a breakdown in wage and job disputes with Ampol.
The six hour strike action is planned for July 31, and comes in the wake of an inability to make a deal with Ampol, who has rejected an offer to provide fairer pay, better hours and more full-time positions.
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) will carry out the strike after 14 meetings with Ampol in the past six months failed in order to reach a fair agreement.
Those meetings also included crisis talks following the unanimous vote by workers to take protected action.
The work stoppages will include:
Night shift – one 2 hour stoppage from 2am to 3amDay shift – two 1 hour stoppages back to back from 8.30am to 10.30amAfternoon shift – one 2 hour stoppage from 6pm to 8pm
Cancellation and delays could be widespread, as Ampol services 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 no other choice but to take industrial action after Ampol failed to offer workers a fair deal.
“If flights are delayed or cancelled because of industrial action, the blame lies solely with Ampol’s management for failing their workers,” Mr Olsen said.
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“These workers are dedicated but can’t accept further declines in wages and conditions. With booming aviation demand, jobs are being undervalued due to airlines’ obsession with profits.
“Workers need better part-time hours and more full-time roles for job security.
“Airport workers nationwide are overburdened and exhausted, struggling with minimal wages and unstable hours.
“The relentless drive for profits driven by privatised airports and the likes of Qantas has plunged the aviation industry into crisis.
“We urgently need a Safe and Secure Skies Commission to set fair standards and ensure skilled workers are in every role, from the baggage room to the cockpit.”TWU claimed Ampol refuellers have only received a 3.5 per cent pay increase over the last three years.
The company also only provides 24 full-time positions out of 68 employees.