Jetstar flights cancelled as workers walk off the job
Jetstar has cancelled flights across its domestic network as more than 250 workers at airports nationwide walk off the job.
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Hundreds of airport workers have united for a 24-hour strike against aviation company Jetstar, for better wages and more hours.
Workers first held strikes in December last year and returned to action today, after the Transport Workers Union (TWU) accused the budget airline of proposing an agreement “designed to keep Jetstar workers impoverished”.
The budget airline has cancelled 48 of its 200 routine domestic flights with 250 workers including baggage handlers and ground crew said to be taking part in the action.
The strike affects Sydney, Melbourne, Avalon, Brisbane, Cairns and Adelaide airports.
A Jetstar spokesman said the airline has moved customers to alternative flights with most people on impacted services set to travel within a few hours of their original departure time and all on the same day.
“To achieve this we have consolidated some services and moved other customers to Qantas flights where necessary,” the spokesman said.
The aviation company allegedly broke off talks with its workers on February 10, with a final offer given without any opportunity for negotiations.
TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said the union is “ready to talk whenever the company is.”
“The fact is these workers have no choice but to take strike action since they are desperate for more hours and are seeing their families struggle,” Mr Kaine said.
The union’s previous demands included more rest breaks, a guaranteed 12-hour break between shifts, guaranteed 30 hours a week and annual wage increases of four per cent.
Last week, Jetstar Group chief executive Gareth Evans said in a statement that the company had made a number of concessions on backpay and rostering after more than a year of negotiations with the union.
“The deal delivers annual wage increases well above private sector wage growth and more than what most companies are offering,” Mr Evans said.
“It also ensures we can keep offering the low fares our customers expect.
“The union keeps ignoring the fact that no part of Jetstar or the Qantas Group will do a wage deal more than three per cent.”
Jetstar customers set to travel today would be provided with a full refund or flight reschedule if requested.
With close to 60 per cent of Jetstar workers affiliated to the TWU, any agreement would heavily rely on the union’s endorsement.