Leaked memo at baggage-handling company reveals airport chaos

A leaked memo from a company used by Qantas to outsource baggage-handling jobs has revealed shocking safety allegations.

A leaked memo from a company used by Qantas to outsource baggage-handling jobs reveals safety equipment and aircraft have been damaged as a result of cutting corners.

Dnata has warned staff to “politely but firmly dismiss” any “pressure from airline reps” or managers to work faster after unsafe behaviour resulted in “quite a few incidents” in the space of a fortnight.

A couple of these incidents resulted in “aircraft damage” and “serious damage” to pieces of ground support equipment, the memo said.

It 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.”

Dnata, which provides services to multiple airlines, is one of the third-party contractors Qantas has used to provide ground-handling operations since the carrier axed about 1700 of its own staff in 2020.

The Transport Workers’ Union says staff warned Dnata during recent enterprise bargaining negotiations that understaffing and safety incidents would get worse if the company didn’t offer more secure jobs at higher wages.

Dnata ground crew will apply to the Fair Work Commission to hold a vote on strike action after reaching a stalemate with the aviation company.

This is the first step for staff to be given protections under workplace laws if they vote to hold a strike.

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine has blamed much of the recent airport chaos on Qantas’ outsourcing decision. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The TWU claims the company’s proposed enterprise agreement would result in pay cuts for experienced workers and below award minimum conditions.

The union says Dnata unsuccessfully attempted to bring overseas workers from the Philippines to fill rosters but “refuses” to increase hours for part-time workers or provide more permanent full-time positions.

Dnata catering staff are separately considering taking industrial action over low pay, which is allegedly below award rates for some workers.

Aviation companies have struggled with staff shortages as the industry returns to normal capacity, resulting in lost luggage, cancelled flights and lengthy queues at airports around Australia.

Qantas has struggled with a shortage of baggage handlers since it outsourced its own ground crews.

This decision was found to be unlawful and partially motivated many of the sacked workers being union members with stronger bargaining capability.

Qantas is appealing this ruling in the High Court.

Australia’s airports have experienced chaos amid staff shortages across the aviation industry. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said understaffing of airport jobs had contributed to Qantas being ranked as Australia’s worst-performing airline.

He said Dnata had struggled to fill vacant positions since taking on baggage handling contracts with the national carrier 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,” he said.

“Workers successfully knocked back that plan but are now faced with the likelihood of having to take strike action to achieve fair pay increases and job security.”

A Qantas spokesman the airline would work with Dnata to minimise disruption caused by any 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,” he said.

He blasted the TWU’s “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,” he said.

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

A Dnata Airport Operations spokesman said it remained committed to ensuring its employees were appropriately compensated and able to complete their roles to the highest standard.

“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,” he said.

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

“The safety and security of our staff, customers and their customers are our No.1 priority.”