Qantas workers to strike across Australia as union and airline remain divided over pay

Qantas ground workers who handle freight and QantasLink regional flights will strike next week over pay and working conditions, the Transport Workers Union said on Friday, according to Reuters.

Workers will stage a 24-hour strike on Wednesday in Victoria and on Thursday across the rest of Australia, the union said. The action could disrupt freight operations, including Australia Post shipments.

Workers demand pay rises

The Transport Workers Union said the workers were taking industrial action after negotiations over pay and working conditions failed to resolve their concerns.

"Workers do not take this action lightly. Any disruption to freight, including Australia Post shipments, sits solely at the feet of Qantas management and its brutal disregard for customers and the workforce," TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said.

Qantas said it remained committed to reaching an agreement with its ground services employees, including annual pay increases.

"We remain ‌committed ⁠to reaching an agreement with our Qantas Ground Services employees that includes annual pay rises for our people," a spokesperson for Qantas said ​in a ​statement.

Fallout from outsourcing dispute

The planned strike comes against the backdrop of an earlier dispute between Qantas and its ground workforce.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Qantas outsourced the jobs of more than 1,800 ground workers in Australia who handled its broader network. The outsourcing was later deemed illegal.

A court last year ordered Qantas to pay a record A$90 million fine over the matter, following criticism of the airline's handling of the pandemic-era sackings.

The latest industrial action adds to pressure on Qantas as the airline and its ground services workforce continue negotiations over pay and employment conditions.