Airport workers call off Monday’s strike

By Alexandra Coulton

Ground handlers working at airports across Australia have called off a 24-hour strike set to take place next week after locking in a new agreement.

Earlier this week 96 per cent of Dnata’s unionised workforce voted in favour of a 24-hour strike on Monday 12 September that would see about 350 workers walk off the job across Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide airports.

The Emirates-owned company, which supplies ground handlers for Qantas, agreed to axe a plan that would scale back overtime entitlements and will give workers a 17 per cent pay increase over four years, according to the Transport Workers Union (TWU).

Dnata also agreed to improve consultation, giving workers a say over proposed changes before they’re decided. With backpay, workers will see an immediate pay increase of 12.6 per cent with a further 4.6 per cent in 2023.

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine was with some Dnata workers at the union’s Queensland state delegate conference when the news of their settlement came in.

“Overworked ground staff needed a fair deal that would sustain them and their families so that they could remain in the industry. By standing strong together, they achieved it,” Kaine said.

“After more than two years of turmoil for Dnata workers denied JobKeeper, they’re thrilled to have locked in greater financial security and the possibility of converting casual and part-time roles to secure full-time positions.

“It’s a relief for hardworking families that last resort strike action is no longer necessary. It shouldn’t be so hard for workers to achieve pay increases above bare minimums and job security.

The settlement came after Qantas dealt with a security breach that caused passengers to be escorted from their flight without access to a toilet.

According to the TWU, the breach highlights the issues across airports following a mass exodus of skilled, experienced workers.

“It’s a sad reality that we’re going to continue seeing chaos at airports until we regain the levels of training and experience the industry has lost,” Kaine added,

“Aviation needs a circuit breaker to rebalance the power from overpaid executives making decisions to line their own pockets and ensure good, safe and secure jobs are prioritised. We’re calling on the Federal Government to establish a Safe and Secure Skies Commission to deliver quality service standards for the Australian travelling public.”

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Dnata emirates Ground handling staff Michael Kaine new agreement overtime qantas Transport Workers Union twu