Travellers at Sydney Airport are next week facing cancellations and delays as more than 50 refuellers plan to walk off the job after a failed pay deal with Ampol.
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) will carry out the strike, planned for July 31, in the wake of Ampol rejecting an offer to provide fairer pay, better hours and more full-time jobs.
The industrial action will be staged over three two-hour stoppages, from 2am to 4am, 8.30am to 10.30am and 6pm to 8pm.
Travellers relying on the 16 domestic and international airlines Ampol services, including Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar, Air New Zealand, Delta and British Airways, could be hit with cancellations and delays.
The turmoil is expected to be widespread after the union failed to reach a fair agreement with the transport energy distributer during about 14 crisis talks over the last six months.
Workers unanimously voted to take protected action.
TWU NSW/QLD State Secretary Richard Olsen said workers have no choice but to revolt due to Ampol’s “failing” mismanagement.
“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.
“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.
“The relentless drive for profits driven by privatised airports and the likes of Qantas has plunged the aviation industry into crisis.”
He said workers need better part-time hours and more full-time roles for job security, and to reduce staff overburdened with exhaustion and struggling with minimal wages and unstable hours.
Sources – SkyNews
