PROTECTED ACTION BALLOT FILED FOR DNATA GROUND WORKERS IN QANTAS SUPPLY CHAIN

Ground workers at dnata will soon vote on the right to take strike action with the TWU today filing a Protected Action Ballot on behalf of workers, as the company refuses decent improvements on rostering, job security and pay.

Dnata is one of the main recipients of cut-cost ground handling contracts from Qantas after the company illegally outsourced 1700 workers. As a result, wages for workers getting Qantas planes off the ground have been slashed and suppressed. Job security is at risk from constant contract changes in a race to the lowest bidder, with companies like Swissport—which has received numerous complaints from Qantas despite the airline’s defence of its illegal outsourcing—now receiving work.

In 2022, dnata workers narrowly avoided taking strike action over the company’s attempt to push through an agreement that imposed pay cuts to experienced workers and below minimum award conditions, driven by the downward industry spiral on wages and conditions led by Qantas.

A successful protected action ballot result would extend protections under the Fair Work Act to all TWU members at dnata to take action, including possible strikes later this year if a fair agreement is not reached.

Alliance pilots in QLD and SA, 90% of whose work is for Qantas, are also looking at possible action in the near future after QLD pilots recently voted down their proposed agreement by 97%. At the same time TWU Jetstar and Altara cabin crew members, who receive inferior pay and conditions to directly-hired crew, are pushing the management team for an overdue correction to their wages and conditions from years of Qantas outsourcing and undercutting.

TWU National Assistant Secretary Emily McMillan said dnata workers again having to move towards strike action was a symptom of a broken aviation industry.

“Qantas’ illegal outsourcing of 1700 workers has had knock-on effects across the aviation industry. While Qantas claim to have turned over a new leaf in last week’s AGM, this is not the experience of workers across their supply chain. Where ground workers used to have careers for life, work is now insecure and low-paid, with minimal guaranteed hours and poor rostering arrangements.

“Dnata ground workers also have no job security because of contracts constantly changing hands in aviation, as part of the Qantas-led approach that preferences the lowest bidder. These workers should not be forced again into taking strike action for decent pay and conditions that will allow them to stay in the industry. Dnata and their clients like Qantas should provide safe and secure jobs and should be working with their workforce to find a fair settlement and avoid unnecessary disruption.

“Aviation has become a revolving door as workers leave the industry for better-paid work with conditions that allow for proper work-life balance. We need to see good, secure jobs once more in aviation and we can’t rely on privatised airports and airlines to deliver it. We need a Safe and Secure Skies Commission to ensure skilled, experienced workers stay in aviation and customers have decent standards.

A recent YouGov poll found 74% of Australians support an independent body in aviation to set standards for jobs and services.

The TWU and Qantas will return to the Federal Court in November 15 for further discussion on compensation to 1700 illegally sacked ground workers.