BREAKING NEWS: Airport chaos across Australia as Jetstar workers walk off the job and the budget airline cancels DOZENS of weekend flights
- Jetstar workers walk off the job at airports across the country in pay dispute
- Situation only set to escalate over the weekend as pilots prepare to halt planes
- Airline has cancelled scores of flights on Saturday and Sunday
- Meanwhile, Jetstar says weekend passengers can get a refund
Jetstar workers have walked off the job at airports across the country, on the first day of rolling strikes as part of a pay and safety dispute.
The situation is only set to escalate over the weekend as pilots prepare to halt planes for hours at a time on Saturday and Sunday.
The airline has already cancelled scores of weekend flights.
On Friday, baggage handlers and ground staff are striking at different times in Sydney, at Melbourne’s Tullamarine and Avalon airports, and in Brisbane, Cairns and Adelaide.
The protest – less than two weeks out from Christmas – comes after the budget airline rejected workers’ demands for pay increases, minimum hours on the job and safety improvements.
Jetstar says it will cancel 44 services on Saturday and a further 46 on Sunday
‘The airline has cut its staffing levels right back to the bone meaning workers are constantly under pressure,’ Transport Workers Union national secretary Michael Kaine said in a statement.
The union claims Jetstar makes $4 billion in revenue, while workers are forced onto insecure low-paid work.
Negotiations broke down after the company rejected demands including for more rest breaks, a guaranteed 12-hour break between shifts and a guaranteed 30 hours a week.
This first day of disruption will be followed by pilots halting planes for four hours both on Saturday and Sunday.
Overall, Jetstar claimed it will cancel 44 services on Saturday and 46 services on Sunday.
Industrial action by pilots will continue throughout the week with a range of lower level bans likely to cause delays.
The company says any customers travelling from December 13 to December 20 can request a full refund prior to flying.
Pay negotiations broke down after nearly a year, with Jetstar warning it wasn’t prepared to alter its position.
‘The union’s demands would put significant pressure on the low fares our customers rely on and force us to review our investments,’ Jetstar Group CEO Gareth Evans said.
‘If we accept an effective 15 per cent net increase in pay that the union is demanding, there will be significant upward pressure on the low fares our customers rely on.’
Passengers are being told they will be notified if their flight is disrupted, as long as their contact details are up to date.
Those affected will be able to change their flights or get a refund, the airline advises