October 24th 2024.
Hundreds of Qantas engineers at major airports in Australia are going on strike for the second time in three days, which could potentially disrupt peak-hour flights. This is part of a larger series of strikes organized by the Qantas Engineers' Alliance, who have been in negotiations for pay raises since April, but have been unable to come to a resolution. The strike is expected to involve around 600 line maintenance engineers who will carry out two four-hour stoppages at airports in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, and Hobart.
Line maintenance engineers play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of aircraft before they take off, as well as towing and marshalling planes. This nationwide strike is an escalation from the previous strike on Wednesday, which saw all-day work stoppages at Melbourne and Brisbane airports. The Alliance is requesting a five percent pay raise each year, with a 15 percent increase this year to compensate for three and a half years of wage freezes.
Paul Farrow, the national secretary of the Australian Workers Union, emphasized the hard work of these engineers in keeping planes in the air, contributing to Qantas' success and reputation for safety. As Australia's fastest-growing state reached a new population milestone, the strikes are set to take place during peak domestic flight times, in the early morning and again in the evening at 5 or 6pm.
Despite the potential for disruptions, Qantas remains confident that the strikes will not significantly impact flights or cause delays. They point out that the strikers are only a fraction of their 2,600-strong engineering team, with around 400 workers rostered on shift during these times. The airline has taken precautions to minimize any impact on their customers, stating that their teams have made contingency plans to ensure smooth operations. "Our teams have worked hard to put contingencies in place and we expect there to be no impact to our customers," a Qantas spokesperson assured.
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