CANBERRA: CPSU staff hold strikes on Monday as part of a dispute over pay with the federal government meaning that evening departures for international flights will be delayed.
Passengers at international airports across the country can expect delays due to a customs and immigration staff strike during peak flying periods on Monday.
Airports are asking Australians due to travel abroad to arrive as early as they can.
The four-hour protected industrial action will hit international airports in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin.
Workers at Melbourne Airprot stop work amid an industrial campaign for better pay.
Workers at Melbourne Airprot stop work amid an industrial campaign for better pay. Photo: Joe Armao
At Melbourne Airport, the action began at 7am and will continue until 11am. Further industrial action at the airport will continue from 9pm on Monday until 1am on Tuesday.
At Sydney Airport, action began at 6am and will continue until 10am. More strike action is scheduled from 8pm until midnight.
The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has given notice of work stoppages at “all Department of Immigration and Border Protection work areas in all states”, a statement on the department website says.
“The department is working closely with stakeholders to minimise the impact on the travelling public and on cargo and mail operations,” the statement says. “We are ensuring appropriate contingencies are in place for visa and citizenship services. However, we strongly encourage passengers booked on international flights to get to the airport early.”
CPSU deputy union president Rupert Evans, who has spent Monday morning at Melbourne Airport, said border force (customs) officers, immigration and biosecurity staff walked off the job to strengthen their campaign for a fair enterprise bargaining agreement.
“That’s happening in protest of the federal government’s attack on their pay conditions and rights at work,” he said. “It’s serious industrial action because members are facing a serious attack on their pay rights and conditions at work.
“The government praises the work that these people do, but is showing absolute disrespect to the workers by proposing to cut their allowances and pay by up to $8000 a year for what is highly skilled, dirty and often dangerous work.”
Melbourne Airport spokeswoman Anna Gillett said delays were yet to occur, but she also asked international passengers to “come in as early as they can, noting that check-in only opens three hours beforehand”. She said the two strikes were planned during the airport’s peak periods.
