Qantas Travellers Alert: 24-Hour Strike - Are Your Plans Affected?
- Replies 5
Heading to the airport for a Qantas flight? Members, please take a moment to read this important announcement.
As of 4 am today, there is a 24-hour strike taking place at Melbourne Airport, led by members of the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU).
Qantas and some international airlines, such as Australia Air Express and DHL, are feeling the effects of the strike action and are currently struggling with flight delays and cancellations.
While six Qantas flights were reportedly cancelled at Melbourne Airport this morning, it is unclear whether this was due to the industrial action.
Despite this, Qantas has advised its customers to stick to their original airport plans if instructed otherwise by the airline. They have assured their customers that everything is under control.
'Our operations team has done a great job of putting workarounds in place, and at this stage, we're not expecting any material impact to our flights on Wednesday,' a spokesperson for Qantas said.
The airline has implemented precautionary measures to ensure the smooth operation of its flights. One such measure involves flying a spare A380 into Melbourne with maximum fuel on board. This allows the aircraft to refuel other planes as needed throughout the day.
What is the reason for the strike?
The TWU said that employees at the Rivet Group are fighting for better pay and working conditions.
They claimed that after having this ongoing argument for the past year, they decided to take action and go on strike.
The union addressed a letter to Andrew David, Qantas’ CEO of domestic and international, urging the airline company to get involved in the ongoing dispute between Rivet and the workers.
The union has stated that Qantas has the power and obligation to ensure that workers who refuel its planes are compensated fairly and provided with a safe working environment.
They suggest that this can be achieved by including specific provisions in the airline's contracts with labour providers.
TWU’s Acting Branch Secretary Mem Suleyman remarked: ‘Qantas has enjoyed a $1 billion half-year profit while workers refuelling Qantas planes have not received a pay increase for nearly three years.’
'As Rivet's major client, accounting for at least 60% of the work, Qantas has the ability and responsibility to dictate through its contracts with labour providers that workers refuelling its planes are receiving fair pay and safe working conditions.'
The effects of this strike are becoming all too apparent. Members, please check with your airline before making the journey to the airport, and please ensure you allow yourself plenty of time.
At Seniors Discount Club, we believe it’s essential that our members are kept informed and can make the best decisions about their travel plans.
Were you affected by any delays or cancellations due to the strike? Let us know in the comments below.
As of 4 am today, there is a 24-hour strike taking place at Melbourne Airport, led by members of the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU).
Qantas and some international airlines, such as Australia Air Express and DHL, are feeling the effects of the strike action and are currently struggling with flight delays and cancellations.
While six Qantas flights were reportedly cancelled at Melbourne Airport this morning, it is unclear whether this was due to the industrial action.
Despite this, Qantas has advised its customers to stick to their original airport plans if instructed otherwise by the airline. They have assured their customers that everything is under control.
Refuelling staff for Qantas aircraft at Melbourne Airport have taken a 24-hour strike. Credit: Shutterstock.
'Our operations team has done a great job of putting workarounds in place, and at this stage, we're not expecting any material impact to our flights on Wednesday,' a spokesperson for Qantas said.
The airline has implemented precautionary measures to ensure the smooth operation of its flights. One such measure involves flying a spare A380 into Melbourne with maximum fuel on board. This allows the aircraft to refuel other planes as needed throughout the day.
What is the reason for the strike?
The TWU said that employees at the Rivet Group are fighting for better pay and working conditions.
They claimed that after having this ongoing argument for the past year, they decided to take action and go on strike.
The union addressed a letter to Andrew David, Qantas’ CEO of domestic and international, urging the airline company to get involved in the ongoing dispute between Rivet and the workers.
The union has stated that Qantas has the power and obligation to ensure that workers who refuel its planes are compensated fairly and provided with a safe working environment.
They suggest that this can be achieved by including specific provisions in the airline's contracts with labour providers.
TWU’s Acting Branch Secretary Mem Suleyman remarked: ‘Qantas has enjoyed a $1 billion half-year profit while workers refuelling Qantas planes have not received a pay increase for nearly three years.’
'As Rivet's major client, accounting for at least 60% of the work, Qantas has the ability and responsibility to dictate through its contracts with labour providers that workers refuelling its planes are receiving fair pay and safe working conditions.'
The effects of this strike are becoming all too apparent. Members, please check with your airline before making the journey to the airport, and please ensure you allow yourself plenty of time.
At Seniors Discount Club, we believe it’s essential that our members are kept informed and can make the best decisions about their travel plans.
Were you affected by any delays or cancellations due to the strike? Let us know in the comments below.
.png){kind=icon}
