There could be some delays at airports across the country today, with hundreds of union aviation workers set to walk off the job.
They’re holding a day of protests centred on ground handler Swissport amid claims of safety breaches across the company.
“With bargains commencing across ground handling, cabin crew, pilots, security and catering, thousands of aviation workers will have the potential right to take protected industrial action this year if airlines refuse to lift standards in their supply chains at companies like Swissport,” the ACTU said.
“Swissport has a history of alarming safety issues impacting both on workers and the public.
“Safety blitzes this month revealed issues with damaged ground equipment, unsafe staffing levels, heat-based injuries and psychosocial hazards from intrusive worker surveillance.
The Transport Workers Union said the safety blitzes follow other horrific incidents across ground handling.
Others allegedly include a 21-year-old Swissport worker almost losing his leg at Brisbane Airport, a Qantas Freight worker killed on the job last year after being crushed by heavy machinery, and claims of workers being electrocuted.
“Aviation workers at Swissport and across the industry are now risking life and limb just by doing their job,” TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said.
“Enabled by its clients like Qantas, Swissport employs workers under rock-bottom pay and conditions, and safety blitzes have recently revealed issues ranging from damaged ground equipment to critically unsafe under-staffing.
“Swissport is just the tip of the iceberg. Across aviation, workers are under immense and deadly pressure, generating huge profits for airlines and airports while their standards go backwards.
“Workers are standing up today to say enough is enough of risking their lives, their time with family and their health to do a job that doesn’t recognize their value.
“These workers want to see aviation return to an industry of lifetime careers that they can be proud of, not transitory jobs nobody can afford to stay in”.
