We’re not saying that your travel plans are ruined or anything, but in a move set to cause massive delays across Australia’s flight network, staff at eight of the country’s international airports are going on strike from today.
Employees of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, a.k.a. the people who process passengers arriving and departing on international flights, are planning to stop work for two hours, twice a day, during peak periods.
Affected airports are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Darwin, Coolangatta and Cairns.
The Community and Public Sector Union says that border staff are angry over a current proposal that would see their wages cut, and leave some of them $8000-per-year worse off.
Strike action began this morning, but the extent of delays is unknown, as it is believed that managers have been flown in to airports around the country to work in front-line positions and reduce delays to travellers.
The proposed work stoppages will occur over the next 10 days, starting at peak periods from this morning. Proposed times are as follows:
Sydney (7am-9am and 7pm-9pm)Melbourne Tullamarine (5am-7am and 9pm-11pm)Brisbane (7am-9am and 7pm-9pm)Gold Coast (6.40am-8.40am and 7pm-9pm)Cairns (4am-6am and 6pm-8pm)Adelaide (6.30am-8.30am and 8pm-10pm)Perth (5.30am-7.30am and 5pm-7pm)Darwin (4.30am-6.30am and 5pm-7pm)
Australian Border Force Acting Deputy Steve Allen has said that passengers travelling internationally should allow extra time for check-in, and to clear customs.
“We are continuing to work closely with our partner agencies to minimise impacts on operations,” he said in a statement.
Delays on international cargo are also expected throughout the 10-day work stoppage, so if you’re waiting for that damn parcel to arrive, then once again, you have our condolences.
via The Age
Photo: Ryan Pierse via Getty Images
