Qantas Workers Strike at Four Major Australian Airports Over Pay and Safety

Qantas airport workers have commenced a 24-hour strike at four of Australia's major airports, a move set to disrupt travel and freight operations. The industrial action, announced by the Transport Worker’s Union (TWU) on Thursday, affects Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth airports and involves disputes over pay, job security, and safety standards.

Details of the Industrial Action

The strike involves employees from several Qantas subsidiaries, including Qantas Ground Services (QGS), Australian air Express (AAE) freight operations, and the regional carrier QantasLink, the TWU said. The union is demanding pay raises in line with industry standards and an increase in full-time positions.

In addition to the main stoppage, the union stated that up to 400 safety screeners in Sydney will conduct two separate two-hour work stoppages on Thursday. A further three-hour stoppage is planned for September 28.

Union Cites Safety and Labor Practices

The TWU has criticized Qantas's corporate structure, arguing the use of multiple subsidiaries has fragmented the workforce and undermined safety protocols. The union is pushing for the integration of work groups under a single Qantas entity.

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"Strike action is always a last resort, but we are literally seeing workers maimed and killed keeping these critical services going," TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said in a statement. He added that the airline required a "fundamental reset" after years of cost-cutting.

Background of Labor Disputes

This industrial action follows a period of contentious labor relations for the airline. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Qantas outsourced the jobs of more than 1,800 ground workers, a move later ruled illegal by Australian courts.

As a result of that ruling, a court last year ordered the airline to pay a record fine of A$90 million (approximately $64 million). According to Reuters, Qantas did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the current strike.