Second Jetstar Strike

On December 19, Baggage handlers and ramp workers have decided not to strike over the Christmas period, following morning work stoppages at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns and Avalon over poverty wages.

The TWU called off strikes to allow people to travel home for Christmas and to appeal to Jetstar to meet modest worker demands on pay and safety.

Jetstar have rejected the pay claims of baggage and ramp workers, who are the lowest paid workers in the Qantas Group. They also rejected claims for 30 hours guaranteed a week, more rest breaks, 12 hours between shifts, more consultation with workers and commitment on the engagement of untrained casual staff.

Fears continue about the safety of workers after Safe Work NSW issued a notice to Jetstar saying workers were at risk of “serious injury” including being “crush and ingested” around operational aircraft.