Australian airports to face disruption in services, ground staffers to go on strike on THIS day

Numerous employees from significant service providers are anticipated to go on strike on Monday in support of better pay and working conditions, which might cause delays at some of Australia's busiest airports. Transport Workers Union of Australia (TWU), the country's largest transport union, announced in a statement that hundreds of ground handlers from Dnata will strike for 24 hours on September 12, while logistic service provider Menzies will apply to the Fair Work Commission to hold a protected action ballot in the states of New South Wales and Victoria, according to Xinhua news agency. 

"Workers at both companies are pushing for viable jobs and greater financial security, including more guaranteed hours for part-time workers and fair pay increases in their enterprise agreements," said the statement. TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said it`s disappointing and distressing for ground handling workers to have their wages and conditions threatened at a time when pressure is through the roof.

"Dnata and Menzies ground workers are forced to pursue strike action for the first time because they can`t afford to stay in this industry if the extreme downward spiral of wages and conditions continues."

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Dnata workers have voted in favour of strikes on September 12, which will see around 350 workers participating in the strikes across airports in Brisbane, Sydney, and Adelaide. TWU said the industrial action will primarily impact the international operations of the Australian flag carrier, Qantas, with knock-on effects to domestic travel.

Qantas cut its own ground workers during the Covid-19 pandemic and outsourced the service to other companies like Dnata. Kaine said Qantas` management`s strategy to dictate low wages and conditions from afar has turned the aviation careers into insecure jobs no one can afford to stay in. "We need to rebalance aviation towards good, secure jobs that keep skilled workers in the industry and ensure the safety of the travelling public."

With inputs from IANS