Airport ground workers set to strike next week over pay and working conditions

Airport ground workers are set to strike at a number of airports across the country starting at 3:30am next Monday morning for 24 hours.

These workers are protesting their pay and working conditions, including the fact they were denied JobKeeper during the pandemic.

Airport ground workers are highly skilled but get paid close to minimum wage with only 20 guaranteed hours per week.

It is estimated around 350 ground workers will be protesting at Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide airports, but could extend to more airports as the date gets closer.

National Secretary of the Transport Workers Union, Michael Kaine, claims these workers are critical to aviation and deserve better treatment.

“We need these workers to stay in the industry and under these terms and conditions it’s really difficult for them to see how they’re going to look after their families,” he told Tom Elliott.

“Without sustainable jobs, this industry is going to fragment even more and we’re going to have poor service levels.”

“We’re very hopeful we can reach an arrangement.”

Press PLAY to hear the situation that the workers and airports find themselves in 

Picture: Getty iStock