Warning for travellers at Sydney Airport as airport workers plan to strike

Passengers can expect cancellations and delays as strike action is expected to cause disruption.

Travellers at Sydney Airport are being warned of cancellations and delays as more than 50 refuellers plan to go on strike after a breakdown in wage and job disputes with Ampol.

The six hour strike action is planned for July 31, and comes in the wake of an inability to make a deal with Ampol, who has rejected an offer to provide fairer pay, better hours and more full-time positions.

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

Those meetings also included crisis talks following the unanimous vote by workers to take protected action.

M ore than 50 Sydney airport refuellers in Qantas’ supply chain plan to strike on Wednesday. Picture: NewsWire / Ben Clark

The work stoppages will include:

• Night shift – one 2 hour stoppage from 2am to 3am
• Day shift – two 1 hour stoppages back to back from 8.30am to 10.30am
• Afternoon shift – one 2 hour stoppage from 6pm to 8pm

Cancellation and delays could be widespread, as Ampol services 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 no other choice but to take industrial action after Ampol failed to offer workers a fair deal.

“If flights are delayed or cancelled because of industrial action, the blame lies solely with Ampol’s management for failing their workers,” Mr Olsen said.

Passengers can expect delays and cancellations. NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

“These workers are dedicated but can’t accept further declines in wages and conditions. With booming aviation demand, jobs are being undervalued due to airlines’ obsession with profits.

“Workers need better part-time hours and more full-time roles for job security.

“Airport workers nationwide are overburdened and exhausted, struggling with minimal wages and unstable hours.

“The relentless drive for profits driven by privatised airports and the likes of Qantas has plunged the aviation industry into crisis.

“We urgently need a Safe and Secure Skies Commission to set fair standards and ensure skilled workers are in every role, from the baggage room to the cockpit.”

An Ampol spokesman said the company acknowledges the current processes being undertaken in relation to the enterprise bargaining agreement with its Sydney Airport refuellers team.

“Should any of Ampol’s workers participate in industrial action, we will respect their right to do so,” the spokesman said.

“Ampol would be disappointed by this outcome, given the 25.3 per cent remuneration and other benefit uplift over the life of the agreement that has been offered to date.

“The contingencies we have in place will ensure minimal operational disruptions for customers, should any employees participate in the industrial action organised by the TWU.
“We believe the appropriate way to conclude the ongoing negotiations is through discussions in good faith to arrive at a resolution that satisfies the needs of both Ampol and our workers.”

NewsWire understands Qantas is aware of the proposed strike, with no changes to Qantas or Jetstar’s schedules.

There is no expected impact on the flights, with the airline to monitor the situation closely.

Qantas is expected to work with Ampol to ensure flights depart as planned.

TWU claimed Ampol refuellers have only received a 3.5 per cent pay increase over the last three years.

The company also only provides 24 full-time positions out of 68 employees.

Originally published as Warning for travellers at Sydney Airport as airport workers plan to strike