A pay dispute between ground handling workers and their employer led to a four-hour strike at major Australian airports on Friday. While delays were expected, the impact was less severe than anticipated, with only minor disruptions reported at Sydney Airport’s international terminal.
A global provider of airport services, expressed disappointment over the strike. A company spokesperson said, “We are deeply disappointed that the Transport Workers’ Union has chosen to withdraw from the in-principle agreement we reached in December and issued a new notice for industrial action.”
The December deal reportedly included an 11% pay rise over two years, with most workers getting an immediate 8.5% boost, along with improved conditions. But the union has since upped its demands, now asking for an 11% immediate pay rise and an additional 6% within six months.
Dnata argued these revised demands are “entirely out of step” with its financial outlook and warned that meeting them could put 5,000 jobs at risk.
The strike saw over 1,000 ground workers, including baggage handlers and ramp service staff, walk off the job at airports in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Brisbane. These workers support major airlines like Emirates, American Airlines, Delta, and China Eastern.
Transport Workers’ Union National Secretary Michael Kaine said the industrial action follows almost a year of stalled negotiations. Workers are calling for better pay, overtime and shift penalties, more job security, and higher guaranteed hours.
“These jobs used to be full-time, permanent positions directly employed by airlines,” Kaine said, pointing to former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce as the one who introduced outsourcing and split the work across multiple companies.
“Workers now have only 24 hours guaranteed a week, making it nearly impossible to secure loans for homes or personal needs,” he added.
Kaine praised the workers’ “brave action” to fight for better standards in the aviation industry, saying nearly the entire workforce backed the strike.
Dnata, however, insists its offer provides “the highest average earnings in the Australian ground handling industry.” The company urged the union to return to negotiations, with a spokesperson saying, “We remain committed to achieving a fair outcome that supports our employees, but we will not jeopardise the stability of our business and operations.”
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