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Sydney Airport is facing six hours of strikes by aircraft refuellers as an impasse continues between the TWU and Ampol.
The industrial action is slated for next Wednesday, 31 July, and will see a two-hour work stoppage from 2am-4am, two back-to-back one-hour stoppages from 8:30am to 10:30am, and another two-hour stoppage from 6pm-8pm.
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Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar, Air New Zealand, Delta and British Airways are among 16 airlines that could be hit with cancellations and delays, as all are serviced at Sydney by Ampol.
Workers say they have met with Ampol in good faith 14 times over the past six months and have dropped several demands at the company’s request. The protected action comes after 92 per cent of workers voted unanimously in favour this month.
TWU NSW/QLD state secretary Richard Olsen said the workers have been left with no choice but to strike, and laid blame for any delays and cancellations “solely with Ampol’s management for failing their workers”.
“These workers are dedicated but can’t accept further declines in wages and conditions. With booming aviation demand, jobs are being undervalued due to airlines’ obsession with profits. Workers need better part-time hours and more full-time roles for job security,” he said.
“Airport workers nationwide are overburdened and exhausted, struggling with minimal wages and unstable hours.”
“The relentless drive for profits driven by privatised airports and the likes of Qantas has plunged the aviation industry into crisis. We urgently need a Safe and Secure Skies Commission to set fair standards and ensure skilled workers are in every role, from the baggage room to the cockpit.”
Olsen previously accused Ampol customers Qantas and Virgin of pressuring the fuel supplier into “keeping workers among the lowest paid”.
“Ampol workers are bravely voting to get rights to take protected industrial action because of their shocking treatment from the company, all because of contract pressures from larger airlines like Qantas,” he said.
In a statement, Ampol said it “acknowledges the current processes being undertaken in relation to the enterprise bargaining agreement with our refuellers team at Sydney Airport”.
“Should any of Ampol’s workers participate in industrial action, we will respect their right to do so. Ampol would be disappointed by this outcome, given the 25.3% remuneration and other benefit uplift over the life of the agreement that has been offered to date,” the company said.
“The contingencies we have in place will ensure minimal operational disruptions for customers, should any employees participate in the industrial action organised by the TWU.
“We believe the appropriate way to conclude the ongoing negotiations is through discussions in good faith to arrive at a resolution that satisfies the needs of both Ampol and our workers.”
