iscover
Perth Airport ground workers are planning to escalate industrial action against dnata after last week’s strike.
Workers will walk off the job for 24 hours from 5:30pm Thursday to 5:29pm Friday, with the TWU accusing dnata of flying in strike-breakers from out of state and working them dangerously long hours in response to industrial action last week.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
According to TWU WA state secretary Tim Dawson, dnata has made the interstate workers take 14-hour shifts.
“This is a company with deep pockets – so much so they can pay to fly in labour from the Eastern States, pay them more than Perth workers, have them stay at swanky hotels, and work them to exhaustion – but they won’t pay local workers a fair wage,” Dawson said.
“That’s not just insulting – it’s dangerous. Fatigued ground crew working on aircraft is a risk to safety, passengers, and the aviation system as a whole.
“Perth airport workers drive this state’s aviation industry which drives this country’s economy, and yet are penalised with poverty wages.
“Instead of flying in more expensive labour just to keep WA workers in their place, dnata should be sitting down with WA workers and recognising their contribution to this state’s economy.”
The union says workers are demanding higher pay, more hours, and “fairer rosters”, with 79 per cent having voted down dnata’s most recent offer and 94.7 per cent then voting in favour of taking protected industrial action.
“When companies cut corners, slash wages, and push labour to exhaustion, planes don’t leave on time, passengers are left stranded, but most importantly safety suffers. Aviation doesn’t work without skilled, rested, and secure workers,” Dawson added.
In a statement, a dnata spokesperson said the company is “disappointed that the TWU continues to take industrial action rather than engaging in constructive dialogue”.
“Our pay offer is designed to provide our valued employees with salary increases which ease the cost-of-living pressures and recognise their dedication and contributions to our company,” the spokesperson said.
“Throughout negotiations, we have listened carefully to feedback and worked to ensure the offer is responsive to employees’ needs. Our latest offer has now been put to a staff vote.”
According to dnata, “contingency measures” last week ensured there was no disruption to services and that operations continued to run smoothly.
“We are prepared to implement similar measures again and are confident we can minimise any potential impact on our customers,” the spokesperson said.
“Importantly, only a small proportion of our workforce are taking part in the industrial action. The majority of our employees remains focused on delivering safe, reliable and high-quality services.
“We remain committed to achieving a mutually acceptable agreement that delivers fair and competitive pay and conditions for our employees, while safeguarding the long-time sustainability of our operations.”
The TWU says Perth ground workers are the lowest-paid dnata employees in the country, and were told by management to “move to Sydney” if they wanted higher pay.
