International Travelers Alerted to Airport Disruptions Amid Ground Staff Strike in Australia
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Synopsis
International travelers are being warned about potential disruptions at Australia's major airports due to a strike by ground workers. Over 1,000 staff members from Dnata staged work stoppages amid ongoing pay disputes, affecting international operations.
Key Takeaways
- Over 1,000 ground workers are on strike.
- Qantas has contingency plans for its international flights.
- Disruptions are expected at major airports.
- Legal action was taken regarding unlawful dismissals.
- Compensation fund established for affected workers.
Sydney, Jan 24 (NationPress) International travelers have been cautioned to anticipate disruptions at Australia’s primary airports due to a strike by ground workers.
As reported by Australia’s 9News network, over 1,000 ground staff working for aviation services firm Dnata at Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane airports participated in four-hour work stoppages on Friday, stemming from a protracted pay dispute.
Qantas, the national airline of Australia, stated that its domestic flights would remain unaffected; however, contingency plans are in place for international flights departing from Sydney.
Approximately 20 significant international airlines rely on Dnata for ground services for their international operations in Australia.
Michael Kaine, National Secretary of the Transport Workers Union, indicated that the industrial action was a final measure following over a year of negotiations concerning the pay agreement, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
“Disruptions are expected today. That’s typical of industrial action. Expect delays at Sydney Airport, Melbourne Airport, and Brisbane Airport,” he informed the 9News network.
Sydney Airport announced its readiness to assist airlines in minimizing the strike's impact on their operations and urged travelers to remain vigilant for updates from their respective airlines.
Last month, Qantas agreed to compensate over 1,800 workers who were unlawfully terminated during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The airline revealed on December 18 that it has reached an accord with the Transport Workers Union (TWU) to compensate former ground staff a total of 120 million Australian dollars (76 million US dollars).
According to the agreement, Qantas and the union will establish a compensation fund in early 2025 to provide payments to the 1,820 former employees whose positions were unlawfully outsourced in 2020.
The union initiated legal proceedings in the Federal Court on behalf of the 1,820 workers in 2020 after their roles were outsourced in August that year amid lockdowns and border closures.
