Key facts
- 97% of Qantas ground crew who voted backed strike action.
- The Transport Workers Union cited "rock-bottom" pay and job security as reasons for the strike vote.
- Qantas is committed to reaching an agreement with annual pay rises.
- Qantas reported A$2.06 billion in annual underlying profit before tax.
- Qantas ground staff are employed by subsidiary Qantas Ground Services as casual and part-time employees.
Some ground crew at Qantas Airways have voted overwhelmingly in favor of strike action over pay and job conditions, according to the Transport Workers Union. The union reported that 97% of the 350 workers who participated in the vote backed industrial action, which could include work stoppages of up to 24 hours. No specific date for a strike has been announced, but the union must provide three days' notice.
Michael Kaine, the union's national secretary, stated that the workers have "no other choice" but to consider striking after feeling disrespected and experiencing a decline in their pay, safety, and conditions to "rock-bottom levels." The threat of industrial action follows a similar vote by Qantas' long-haul pilots in early August, who later reached a wage agreement.
Qantas has indicated its commitment to reaching an agreement that includes annual pay rises and more full-time opportunities, stating that discussions through the Fair Work Commission have been constructive. The airline also mentioned it has contingency plans to minimize operational impacts if a strike occurs. The ground staff are employed as casual and part-time workers by Qantas Ground Services and work for Qantas Freight and the Q-Link service, but not mainline or international services. The union is advocating for job security, fair pay increases after years of wage freezes, and consolidation of scattered work groups under a single Qantas banner. Qantas and its ground staff are scheduled to return to the Fair Work Commission for further talks on September 18. The airline recently reported a 14% fall in annual underlying profit before tax to A$2.06 billion ($1.47 billion), attributed to increased fuel costs.