The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) reported that 97% of its members employed by Qantas Ground Services (QGS) voted in favour of obtaining the right to strike over pay and conditions. The union says the vote reflects frustration with a pay structure it claims pays ground staff less than the airline’s legacy workforce, despite the subsidiary being owned by Qantas since its creation under former CEO Alan Joyce.
Ground crews at QGS also perform duties for Qantas Freight and the regional Q‑Link service. In New South Wales, TWU health and safety representatives have issued 14 provisional improvement notices to Qantas over alleged safety failings at Qantas Freight, where a labour‑hire worker died last year. The union’s national secretary, Michael Kaine, criticised the airline’s recent financial statements, noting that Qantas reported a dip in profits to a four‑year low and hinted at possible fare hikes while the board granted itself a 17% pay rise.
The union said workers feel they were given a false promise of respect and now see industrial action as their only recourse. Qantas responded that it remains committed to reaching an agreement that includes annual pay rises for ground staff. The airline said it has developed contingency plans to minimise any impact on customers should industrial action be announced.
Negotiations are continuing through the Fair Work Commission, which the airline described as constructive. Both parties indicated that discussions will proceed while the union prepares for the possibility of a strike in the coming weeks.
