Qantas baggage handlers on strike
A report in The Australian says that Qantas passengers around the country were left stranded yesterday when 130 baggage handlers walked off the job at Adelaide airport following a dispute over a proposal to outsource labour.
The baggage handlers stopped work at 1pm, delaying flights between Adelaide and other capital cities by up to four hours.
South Australian secretary of the Transport Workers Union, Alex Gallacher, said Qantas was prepared for the walkout, with about 30 contingency staff ready to step in.
“The fact they’ve been using strike-breakers in Adelaide has not pleased our membership in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Perth,” Mr Gallacher said.
The dispute is over a Qantas review of Adelaide baggage operations, with outsourcing a possible outcome.
“We’re saying, ‘No way, Jose, get stuffed’,” Mr Gallacher said. “We believe we’ve been pushed into this action.”
Curtis Davies, Qantas executive general manager of services, said the airline regretted the inconvenience caused to passengers.
“We are disappointed our people have taken this action,” he said.
“Even if the proposed review results in some work being outsourced, no Qantas staff will be made redundant.” “Their action simply inconveniences our customers.”
A Qantas spokesman confirmed reports ground crew in Melbourne had refused to push an Adelaide-bound aircraft from the terminal in sympathy with their colleagues.
A report by The Mole from The Australian
John Alwyn-Jones
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