AIRPORT WORKERS AT MENZIES AND DNATA CATERING LOCK IN AGREEMENTS

Menzies ground handling workers and Dnata Catering workers have won job security protections and pay increases in new enterprise agreements for the chronically understaffed workforces.

Menzies ground workers in Victoria and NSW, who had been preparing to move to a Protected Action Ballot to protect their jobs, have locked in a commitment from the company to insource all operations that are currently outsourced, and increase minimum part-time hours. Workers also locked in 11% pay increases by January 2023 including backpay.

Dnata Catering workers who were denied JobKeeper under the Morrison government will receive between a 7.5% and 8% pay increase over two years, including backpay to January 2022 when flying had resumed and workers all returned from stand-down.

Workers will also have greater opportunities to convert from labour hire to full time and have secured improvements to overtime payments that will help them keep up with the cost of living and remain in the industry.

At both companies, workers won enhanced consultation rights, giving them more of a say in workplace changes before they take place.

The agreements follow Dnata Ground workers calling off proposed strike action after settling agreements with the company that make their jobs more viable.

TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine congratulated workers for standing strong through tough negotiations.

“These pay increases and improvements to job security will make a huge difference to workers who’ve been under immense financial pressure, especially for Dnata Catering workers who were denied JobKeeper during the pandemic.”

“It is inexcusable that ground handling and catering workers in the Qantas supply chain have had to fight hard just for a fair deal, while Alan Joyce pockets a 15% increase to  $2.27 million base salary as standards and safety plummet.”

“These workers have ensured their job security and a fair pay rise because they stood together, but the industry is not going to recover to where it needs to be without the Federal Government stepping in. It must introduce a Safe and Secure Skies Commission that will lift standards both for workers and the travelling public, and cap executives’ obscene salaries.”

Swissport ground workers, also working within Qantas’ supply chain, will begin bargaining in December. Last week, the TWU revealed a dossier of safety incidents and the company’s appalling response, calling on safety regulators to investigate Qantas’ supply chain.