Jetstar workers strike at Cairns Airport: Majority walk off
The majority of Jetstar ground workers at Cairns Airport have walked off the job today protesting over pay and conditions they say are unsafe.
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THE majority of Jetstar ground workers at Cairns Airport have walked off the job today protesting over pay and conditions they say are unsafe.
CAIRNS FLIGHTS CANCELLED OVER STRIKE ACTION
About 99 per cent of Cairns Airport’s 36 Jetstar baggage handlers are protesting outside the domestic terminal in a hope the company will “come back to the table”.
Far North Queensland regional organiser for the Transport Workers Union Russell Vieritz said
there would be ongoing industrial action unless Jetstar met the demands of workers.
“The company is trying to cover this morning with contingency plans,” he said
“We are hopeful Jetstar will come back to the table. At this point, we’d love to see them come to the table.
“The workers do apologise to any inconvenience caused to any travellers but the basis of their claims is for the improvement of safety.
“Because of the nature of the industry, planes get delayed and when three aircraft pull up at once, crews get split and they are working without safety supervisors.”
Mr Vieritz also said 90 per cent of Cairns workers were part-time and worked just 20 hours a week.
He said just four workers in Cairns were full-time.
“The part-time staff work 20 hours per week and get paid just $429 a week and they’re supposed to survive on that,” he said.
“We want Jetstar to increase their hours to 30 hours per week as a minimum with a four per cent wage increase.”
Jetstar workers are taking strike action following a rejection of all their claims by Jetstar, including claims related to safety such as more rest breaks, 12-hour breaks between shifts and a commitment to engaging Jetstar employees rather than untrained casual staff.
Jetstar workers earn the lowest rates in the Qantas group and are seeking a four per cent pay rise, following the 18-month pay freeze, and guaranteed 30 hours work a week.
Originally published as Jetstar workers strike at Cairns Airport: Majority walk off