Qantas ground-handling staff in Australia have overwhelmingly backed strike action over pay and working conditions, raising the prospect of disruption to freight and regional operations. The vote involved workers at Qantas Ground Services, the airline’s ground-handling unit, and comes amid renewed labour tension at the carrier. No strike date has been set, but any protected industrial action would need three days’ notice before it begins.
About 97% of 350 workers who voted supported industrial action, including stoppages lasting from one hour to 24 hours. The dispute centres on pay rises and conditions for ground crews tied mainly to freight and regional services, rather than Qantas’ mainline international passenger network.
Qantas remains in negotiations through the Fair Work Commission and is still pursuing an agreement that includes annual pay rises. Contingency plans are in place to limit disruption if industrial action goes ahead. The vote follows earlier tension at the airline, including action involving long-haul pilots in August.