Airport workers launch fresh industrial action for NRL Grand Final weekend

Jetstar airport workers will step up industrial action this weekend, as negotiations remain deadlocked over pay and conditions.

Editor’s note: This story first appeared on HR Leader’s sister brand, Australian Aviation.

Starting today (Friday, 2 October), Australian Services Union (ASU) members working for Jetstar at major airports will stop carrying out “a range of non-essential duties”, including routine passenger announcements and calls, and disruption and cancellation management tasks, over the weekend.

Members will once again zero out some sales-related fees, including excess baggage charges, late charges, and seat changes, with one-hour work stoppages also planned.

ASU assistant national secretary Scott Cowen said the ASU’s members “help people get where they need to go”, and should be compensated accordingly.

“They’re the reason people can travel Jetstar this Grand Final weekend, and they’re connecting friends and family across the country and beyond during school holidays. That work does not stop being hard just because a company decides it is not worth paying properly for,” he said.

“Our members don’t want to take action, but they’re left with no other choice. They’re taking action because during a cost-of-living crisis, during extreme weather conditions, the airline has failed to support workers with extra weather protections or a pay offer that responds to this crisis properly.

“Jetstar’s domestic earnings are up 15 per cent this year on record passenger numbers, and Qantas Group is turning a profit. A 2.1 per cent pay rise for the people who made that possible is not what a fair share looks like.

“Jetstar has the money and the record year to make this right. Every day it chooses not to is a day our members decide how much further they are prepared to take this.”

Jetstar said it is not expecting flight disruptions from the industrial action. The airline has also offered a 3 per cent pay rise in April alongside the 2.1 per cent at commencement, as well as back pay to April this year, a new classification structure, and other improvements to conditions.

“We have strong contingency plans in place and don’t expect there will be any impact to customers’ flights as a result of industrial action,” a Jetstar spokesperson said.

“It is very disappointing the ASU has chosen to pursue further industrial action despite Jetstar putting forward a comprehensive and fair offer, including meaningful pay increases, improved penalties and allowances, and greater rostering flexibility.

“This offer delivers strong outcomes for our people while ensuring we can continue to invest in our fleet, grow our network and keep fares low, at a time when fuel costs continue to put pressure on the aviation industry. We will continue to keep customers updated.”

The fresh round of industrial action follows similar action taken late last month, which was approved by members in August.

Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make HR Leader a preferred news source on Google.