Strike vote by aviation firefighters could affect Easter travels

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Today, a pivotal moment unfolds as aviation firefighters, under the banner of the United Firefighters Union of Australia (UFUA) Aviation Branch, are casting their votes on whether to proceed with strike actions. These actions have the potential to throw a wrench in the travel plans of countless Australians and visitors from abroad, eagerly anticipating the upcoming Easter holiday. The heart of the matter lies in the members’ decision, which if swung in favor of striking, could see industrial action taking place in airports throughout Australia, commencing Thursday, March 28, right on the cusp of the Easter festivities.

The repercussions of such a decision could be monumental, particularly on Good Friday, a day traditionally marked by heavy air travel. The strike’s proposed form includes a nationwide withdrawal of rescue and firefighting services for durations up to three hours, alongside complete work stoppages. This drastic measure emerges from the union’s growing alarm over issues of fatigue and understaffing, which they argue, jeopardize both safety and compliance with aviation laws.

The UFUA has pointed fingers at Airservices Australia, the agency charged with the provision of aviation firefighting and rescue services at the nation’s airports, accusing it of falling short in maintaining the legally mandated staffing levels for safe operations. According to Wes Garrett, the secretary of the UFUA’s aviation branch, the current staffing situation flouts international aviation safety regulations, thus endangering the lives of air travelers by diminishing the firefighters’ ability to effectively respond to emergencies.

In the event that the union’s membership voices its support for the strike, it will trigger a mandatory seven-day notification period to Airservices Australia, signaling the impending unavailability of fire and rescue services at 27 major airports across Australia. This would, in turn, compel airlines to either reschedule or cancel flights during the strike periods, as detailed by Garrett.

On the other side, a spokesperson for Airservices Australia has countered these claims, asserting that the organization has a sufficient number of aviation firefighters to fulfill operational demands and is committed to working alongside airports and airlines to ensure ongoing safe operations. Furthermore, the dispute encompasses financial dimensions, with firefighters pushing for a 20% wage increase in the context of enterprise agreement negotiations—a demand that Airservices Australia deems financially burdensome, projecting an additional $128 million in costs.

Airservices Australia has made a counteroffer, proposing an 11.2% salary increase over three years, amounting to $32 million, a proposal they argue aligns with the Australian Public Service Commission’s recent pay decision, while also pledging to preserve existing conditions. The spokesperson emphasized the implications of increased operational costs, which would inevitably be passed down to passengers through higher airfares. Despite the looming threat of industrial action, Airservices Australia vows to take all necessary steps to mitigate flight disruptions, underscoring a commitment to maintain safe operational standards amidst challenging negotiations.

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