Qantas ground workers to strike over pay and conditions next week

Business Recorder reported that several hundred Qantas ground staff who handle freight and QantasLink's regional services will walk out next week over wages and conditions. The Transport Workers Union announced the stoppage on Friday, and it will run for 24 hours, falling on Wednesday for Victoria and on Thursday for the remainder of Australia.

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine placed the blame for any freight disruption, including Australia Post consignments, squarely on Qantas management, accusing it of showing little regard for customers and workers. Qantas said it is still aiming for a deal that includes yearly pay increases for its ground services staff.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Qantas outsourced the work of more than 1,800 Australian ground staff serving its wider network, an action later deemed illegal. Last year, a court imposed a record penalty of A$90 million ($64.03 million) on the airline over the matter.