Unionised ground workers at Qantas Ground Services (QGS) – who support Qantas’ air freight and regional operations – have voted to authorise work stoppages and partial work bans over an ongoing contract negotiation.
Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) workers at QGS can launch an unlimited number of day-long work stoppages, indefinite overtime bans, indefinite freight sorting bans, and indefinite training bans under a 27 August strike authorisation.
But the union, which represents approximately 60% of QGS’ 650 ground workers, has not notified the company of strike plans.
“[QGS has] well-developed contingency plans to minimise any impact on customers and our operations, should we be notified of any industrial action,” a company spokesperson told Lithos on 1 September.
QGS and TWU disagree over a range of wage and employment condition proposals. “QGS workers are calling for job security, a fair pay rise after years of wage freezes … and for … scattered work groups to be brought back together under a single Qantas banner,” the union said on 1 September.
“[Qantas remains] committed to reaching an agreement with [QGS] employees that includes annual pay rises,” a company spokesperson told Lithos. “Our focus is on an agreement that addresses what employees have told us matters most, including pay and more full-time opportunities,” the spokesperson added.
QGS and TWU will engage in Fair Work Commission-facilitated bargaining in mid-September, Lithos understands. The company plans to present a detailed contract proposal at the meeting.
“[Unionised] ground workers don’t want to go on strike, but after being sold a false promise that [Qantas] would finally treat them with respect, they’ve got no other choice,” TWU Secretary Michael Kaine said.
By Avinash Govind