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A truce between the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) and Ampol appears to have fallen apart, with aircraft refuellers at Sydney Airport planning 12 hours of strike action this week.
The work stoppages will occur from 1am to 5am, 7am to 11am, and 6pm to 10pm on Friday, 23 August, and could affect 16 airlines including Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar, Air New Zealand, Delta, and British Airways, with longer domestic and long-haul international flights most likely to be impacted.
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The industrial action comes despite Ampol refuellers at the end of July calling off planned strike action after Ampol made refuellers a better offer following six months of negotiations.
The fuel company attempted to claim that the TWU was not bargaining in good faith, an argument rejected at the Fair Work Commission last week.
“The company’s unwillingness to meet workers’ reasonable demands, such as improvements to leave entitlements, more full-time positions and a fair wage increase after years of stagnation, places the burden on workers to take action in pursuit of a better deal,” the union said in a statement.
“Ampol refuellers have seen only a 3.5 per cent pay increase over the last three years, while the cost of living has risen more than 15 per cent. Additionally, only 24 out of 68 employees hold full-time positions, making retention in this skilled and high-risk industry increasingly difficult.”
TWU NSW/QLD state secretary Richard Olsen has said industrial action is “always a last resort” but that Ampol had “continued to claim keeping refuellers among the lowest paid in aviation was crucial for maintaining contracts with airlines such as Qantas”.
“These workers are dedicated professionals who deserve better. Ampol’s refusal to address their reasonable requests has left them with no choice but to take action. In an industry where profits are soaring, it’s unacceptable that those who keep it running are treated so poorly,” he said.
“The aviation industry is facing a crisis driven by the relentless pursuit of profit at the expense of workers. We urgently need a safe and Secure skies commission to establish fair standards and ensure that every role, from the baggage room to the cockpit, is valued and secure.”
Ampol has expressed its disappointment at the threatened industrial action, saying it will “continue to negotiate in good faith to arrive at a mutually beneficial resolution”.
“Ampol has offered a 25.6 per cent remuneration and other benefit uplift over the life of the agreement and continues to work with its employees and bargaining representatives on resolving the matter,” a spokesperson said.
“Should any employees participate in the TWU’s proposed action, we have contingencies in place to minimise operational disruptions for customers.”
