Qantas passengers warned to prepare for cancellations and delays as 50 Sydney Airport workers go on strike

Qantas passengers are being warned of cancellations and delays as more than 50 fuel stations in the airline’s supply chain at Sydney Airport plan to strike.

The six-hour strike, scheduled for July 31, comes after petrol company Ampol rejected an offer to provide fairer pay, better working hours and more full-time jobs.

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) will carry out the strike after 14 meetings with Ampol over the past six months failed to result in a fair agreement.

These meetings also included crisis talks after workers unanimously voted to take action.

Qantas passengers are being warned of cancellations and delays as more than 50 tankers in the airline’s supply chain at Sydney Airport plan to strike

The work stoppages include:

• Night shift – one hour work break from 2am to 3am
• Day shift – two one-hour breaks in a row from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
• Afternoon Service – one two-hour break from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Cancellations and delays can be widespread as Ampol operates flights with 16 domestic and international airlines including Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar, Air New Zealand, Delta and British Airways.

TWU NSW/QLD State Secretary Richard Olsen said there was no choice but to strike after Ampol failed to offer its workers a fair contract.

“When flights are delayed or cancelled due to strikes, the blame lies entirely with Ampol management for letting down its employees,” Olsen said.

“These workers are dedicated, but they cannot accept further reductions in wages and benefits. As demand for aviation increases, jobs are being undervalued because of the airlines’ obsession with profit.

‘Employees need more part-time hours and more full-time positions to secure their jobs.

‘Airport workers across the country are overworked and exhausted, struggling with minimal wages and unstable working hours.

‘The relentless pursuit of profit by privatised airports and companies like Qantas has plunged the airline industry into crisis.

“We urgently need a Safe and Secure Skies Commission to set fair standards and ensure that every role, from the baggage hold to the cockpit, has skilled workers.” According to TWU, Ampol tankers have only received a 3.5 percent pay increase in the past three years.

In addition, the company only offers 24 full-time positions out of a total of 68 employees.