Jetstar staff will walk off the job TOMORROW – throwing airports around Australia into chaos
- Pilots, baggage handlers and ground crew staff are going on strike this weekend
- Strikes comes after a dispute for staff to have better pay and working conditions
- More than 100 flights will be cancelled in airports across Australia over weekend
More than 100 flights will be cancelled as Jetstar staff walk off the job on Friday.
Airports around Australia are expected to be thrown into chaos as baggage handlers, ground staff and pilots go on strike demanding a pay rise and better working conditions.
The strike comes as a result of a feud between the airline and the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) members.
More than 100 Jetstar flights will be cancelled this weekend as pilots and staff walk off the job over disputes about pay and working conditions
On Friday, 250 baggage handlers and members of ground staff will halt work for two two hour periods across Sydney, Adelaide, Cairns, Brisbane, Avalon and Melbourne airports.
These staff demanded more rest breaks, a guaranteed 12 hour rest break between shifts, guaranteed 30 hours a week of work and annual wage increases of 4 per cent.
AFAP pilots flying domestically will not operate flights between 5am and 9am on Saturday and Sunday.
Pilots were also concerned with how the airline’s roster would affect pilot fatigue.
Jetstar claim 80 per cent of flights will run as scheduled over Saturday and Sunday and passengers will also be able to secure flights with Qantas.
Gareth Evans, CEO for Jetstar said the strike was ‘unjustifiable’ and passengers would receive a full refund for any flights booked between December 13 and 20.
Airports across Australia will be thrown into chaos after the strike but passengers have been offered a refund for any tickets between December 13 and 20
‘The Australian Federation of Air Pilots’ (AFAP) work stoppages this weekend are completely unjustifiable and cynically timed to hurt travellers at the busiest travel time of the year,’ he said.
‘We remain committed to reaching a new agreement to support the great work our people do every day, but not any cost. Strong arm action from the AFAP will not change our position on this.
‘Overall, Jetstar will cancel 44 services on Saturday 14 December and 46 services on Sunday 15 December and Jetstar will contact impacted customers from today.’
Mr Evans claimed the AFAP were demanding a 15 per cent pay rise in salaries and allowances, which he said would in turn stop the airline from offering such low price flights.
‘Again, we say to the union: come to the table with a reasonable offer that is fair, and which also ensures the future of low fares travel for Australians,’ he said.