Dnata ground crew apply to vote on strike action amid Australia’s airport chaos

Thousands of Australians are being warned to prepare for more airport chaos amid possible strike action from staff.

Qantas has slammed a move from ground staff at the country’s major airports to initiate the process for industrial action, saying it will impact thousands of Australians.

Dnata ground crew will apply to the Fair Work Commission on Tuesday to hold a vote on strike action due to issues with their pay and work conditions.

The move means staff would be protected under the Fair Work Act if they vote to hold a strike, while their dispute with Dnata continues over a new enterprise agreement.

The Emirates-owned airport services provider supplies baggage handling for up to 20 airlines, including Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Etihad and Air ­Canada.

Thousands of Australian travellers would be impacted by the strike action. NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Dnata catering workers, who service most Australian and international airlines, are also considering taking action over pay and work conditions.

Qantas Domestic and International Andrew David chief executive slammed the move and said thousands of international travellers would be impacted if the action went ahead.

“It's awful that the union is taking whatever action they are proposing, it could have a further impact on the travelling public,” he told the Today show on Tuesday.

“Everybody in this country has been locked up for two years or more. They all want to get home. They want to go and see family. They want to go and see friends. They want to do business.

“We don't use Dnata in our domestic airports. It will obviously affect the international airports. It’s not good at all.”

It comes at a time where the aviation industry is already struggling, with long airport queues, delayed or cancelled flights and missing baggage a common occurrence for customers.

Big crowds rushed to Sydney Airport once again on Tuesday morning, but lines were moving well in comparison to the mayhem experienced on Monday.

@Qantas Sydney airport T3 - not one Qantas customer service person in sight! All security people. They’ve forgotten how to look after their customers. At least have something here stick handling the security screening and calling out flights. pic.twitter.com/MYe2NgT3LA

— all of us (@rualre) July 25, 2022

More than 10 flights were cancelled due to technical issues and heavy fog, resulting in lengthy delays and lines stretching outside the terminal to as far back as the carpark.

The airport temporarily operated with one less security lane than normal in T2 Domestic, with some passengers reporting it took them more than an hour to get through security.

My friend in the security queue at Sydney Airport this morning. Can’t even get into the building 😬. pic.twitter.com/HYaJZJPvVv

— Tanya Selak (@GongGasGirl) July 24, 2022

Security queue today at Sydney Airport pic.twitter.com/1YlKvlfgGI

— Andrew Clennell (@aclennell) July 24, 2022

The Transport Workers’ Union said Dnata staff have told the company that “chronic understaffing”, “airport chaos” and “safety incidents” will continue unless more secure jobs at higher rates are offered

It also said workers recently stopped a plan from the airline service provider to bring in overseas workers from Manila to fill rosters.

“Dnata workers struggled through two years of stand down with no financial support from their employer or the Morrison government,” TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said.

“After standing by the company through the hardest times and now working well beyond safe capacity while rosters are severely understaffed, the most experienced workers are facing pay cuts while conditions are below Award minimums.

“Dnata has struggled to fill vacant positions because of low pay and casual, part-time work, but rather than lift standards or guarantee workers more hours in their contracts, Dnata tried to bring in overseas workers at great expense.

“Dnata workers are the latest casualties of the Qantas administration’s agenda to drive down wages and conditions.”

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said Dnata workers now likely need to strike. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Mr David rejected suggestions that there was an issue with outsourcing airport services, saying it did not impact on safety or the level of service.

“We collectively as an industry, and at Qantas, hold all our service providers to the same standard that we hold ourselves,” he said.

“We never compromise on the training. We never compromise on safety. It's ludicrous to suggest that corners are being cut and the union’s got to take action.”

A Qantas spokesperson said the airline would work with Dnata to mitigate disruptions caused by the potential strikes.

“Dnata handle up to 20 airlines that fly into Australia, and this is going to disrupt thousands of people wanting to go on holidays and visit family and friends,” they said.

They also slammed the TWU, calling their actions “appalling behaviour”.

“The TWU has been trying to discredit the safety of outsourced ground handling, despite data showing a lower rate of incidents compared to when this work was done in-house.

“This kind of behaviour is hypocritical and it undermines the strong safety culture that exists throughout Australian aviation.”

Dnata have provided ground handling services to Qantas since the airline controversially sacked 1700 ground staff in 2020.

Qantas‘ decision was later found to be illegal and in breach of the Fair Work Act by the Federal Court, though the airline is appealing this ruling in the High Court.

Qantas have slammed the union over their potential strike action. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

Dnata said it would continue their conversations in “good faith” with the TWU following the Fair Work Commission application.

“We remain committed to ensuring our employees are appropriately compensated and able to complete their roles to the highest standard,” a Dnata Airport Operations (ground handling and cargo) spokesperson said.

“We stay committed to working with our trade union partners and continue our conversations with the (TWU) and employees in good faith while working to minimise the impact of a potential industrial action on our customers‘ operations.

“We have and will continue to prioritise Australian jobs and our local workforce.” 

Both Qantas and Dnata are working to minimise the impact on customers if the strike action happens. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

It comes after a leaked memo from Dnata revealed staff have been old to “politely but firmly dismiss” any “pressure from airline reps” or managers to work faster.

The memo said the unsafe behaviour had led to “quite a few incidents, including “aircraft damage” and “serious damage” to pieces of ground support equipment.

The memo also said “the expression ‘under the pump’ needs to be removed from our collective vocabulary especially where it is used to try and explain unsafe behaviours”.

Mr David said he thought the memo was a good thing and the situation was “certainly” not dangerous.

“I have read that memo, I thought it was good,” he said,

“It was a reminder to everybody in Dnata … safety always comes first. I didn’t see anything with that message.

“Unfortunately, some people choose to take phrases in that and in other contexts out of context and then spread misinformation.”

Dnata said the safety and security of its staff, customers and their customers was its “number one priority”.

“We have a robust training program as well as comprehensive and stringent measures in place that ensure the highest level of safety across our operations,” a spokesperson said.

Qantas would be one of 20 airlines impacted by Dnata staff taking strike action. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

Qantas are also facing potential industrial action for its aircraft engineers over a pay dispute.

Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers’ Association (ALAEA), which represents more than 1600 licensed engineers across Qantas, Jetstar and Network Aviation, are voting in ballots over potential strike action.

ALAEA federal secretary Steve Purvinas said last week the one-minute work stoppages would “almost certainly” happen and they would be Australia wide.

“Qantas, Jetstar, and Network Licenced Aircraft Engineers are being balloted to approve industrial action at their respective airlines,” he told NCA NewsWire.

“The ballots close on August 10 and will almost certainly be in favour of the actions.

“We want to reassure passengers that our one-minute stoppages will not interrupt their travel plans.”

A Qantas spokesperson said they were “disappointed” with the ALAEA’s action ballots after the airline had been “negotiating in good faith”.

“We’re disappointed the ALAEA has taken this step given we’ve been negotiating in good faith on the agreements. This action from the union is completely unnecessary,” they said.

“With the industry still recovering from the impact of the pandemic, the last thing it needs is the threat of industrial action.

“Should the union proceed with industrial action, we have contingency plans to minimise any disruptions.”