Union members take aim at Easter travel plans

TRAVELLERS on Easter breaks will face delays due to strike action by Customs and Border Protection staff at airports and cruise terminals.

People at the Sydney international Airport during a strike by customs officers could cause some delays in boarding international flights today. Some long cues seen at some check ins but the departures gate was clear .pic John Grainger

STRIKES by Customs and Border Protection staff at airports and cruise terminals around the country are designed to sour the start of Easter holidays for thousands of people.

A 24-hour strike on Holy Thursday and stoppages of six to eight hours at a time for the rest of the Easter break, are expected to cause significant delays for people heading abroad or arriving down under.

The Community and Public Sector Union has encouraged all members to take part in the industrial action, which is part of a broader campaign against the Federal Government.

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National Secretary Nadine Flood said the strikes were targeting “the politicians and bosses who continue to treat them with contempt” but acknowledged they may have some impact on the public, particularly at international airports.

“As with previous action at airports, we would advise passengers to contact their airline for information on whether they will be affected and allow extra time when departing and arriving on international flights,” said Ms Flood.

Bigger queues are expected from Thursday when Customs and Border Force staff strike. Picture: John Grainger / News Corp Australia

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection posted a statement on its website urging travellers to “plan for potential delays”.

“The Department is working closely the stakeholders to minimise the impact on the travelling public, cargo and mail operations,” said the statement.

“We are also ensuring appropriate contingencies are in place for visa and citizenship services.”

More than the usual mayhem. Strike action at international airports could lead to even bigger queues in Sydney on Thursday. Pic: John Grainger/News Corp Australia

Ms Flood said border force officers were facing “actual cuts to their take-home pay”.

“Workers are being asked to cop losing a raft of rights in return for a two-year wage freeze and then a low-ball offer of two per cent a year after that,” she said.

From Tuesday, delays are possible at Adelaide, Cairns, Darwin, Perth and Townsville airports. Tomorrow, a three-hour stoppage is planned for Melbourne International Airport expanding to all airports and cruise terminals on Thursday.

No fun. Strike action at international airports and cruise terminals on Thursday threatens to delay Easter travel. Pic: John Grainger/News Corp Australia

Ongoing action is planned for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Coolangatta, Perth, Darwin and Adelaide on Good Friday and then again Easter Sunday.

Next Tuesday, March 29, will see further delays being repeated until Friday April 1.

Industrial action has been ongoing at international airports since last September, with some travellers taking several hours to get through Customs.

Ms Flood said the mess was Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s own making, that could be fixed by him sitting down to discuss a more sensible bargaining policy.