Hundreds of Qantas ground workers who handle freight and the airline’s regional QantasLink services are set to strike next week, the Transport Workers Union announced on Friday. The walkout will last for a 24‑hour period, beginning on Wednesday in the state of Victoria and continuing on Thursday for the remainder of the country.
Union says management bears responsibility
TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said the action reflects deep frustration among the workforce. “Workers do not take this action lightly. Any disruption to freight, including Australia Post shipments, sits solely at the feet of Qantas management and its brutal disregard for customers and the workforce,” Kaine said in a statement.
Background on outsourcing and legal fallout
During the COVID‑19 pandemic, Qantas outsourced more than 1,800 ground‑handling jobs across Australia. A court later ruled that the outsourcing was illegal, ordering the airline to pay a record fine of A$90 million (approximately US$64 million). The fine underscores the ongoing tension between the airline’s cost‑cutting measures and the rights of its employees.
Potential impact on freight and travelers
The strike could affect freight movements and the delivery of Australia Post parcels, as well as passengers on QantasLink regional flights. While Qantas has not yet commented on the planned action, the union warned that any disruption will be felt by customers nationwide.
Industry context
Labor disputes in the aviation sector have become more common as airlines seek to control costs in a post‑pandemic environment. Workers across the industry argue that wage growth has not kept pace with rising living costs, and that safety and service quality suffer when staffing levels are reduced.
What’s next?
The union has called on Qantas management to return to the bargaining table and address the concerns raised by its workforce. If the strike proceeds as planned, the airline may need to implement contingency measures to minimise disruption to freight and passenger services.
Qantas has not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
