Dnata ground workers have voted 98% in favour of protected industrial action with the company refusing decent improvements on rostering, job security and pay, as the TWU continues to fight back against Qantas-led decimation of decent aviation jobs.
The vote triggers protected industrial action rights under the Fair Work Act for over 1000 workers across Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
Ground workers are pushing for more hours, fairer rosters and better pay to rebuild jobs in aviation which have become low-paid and insecure.
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 dnata in competition with companies like Swissport-which has received numerous complaints from Qantas despite the airline's defense of its illegal outsourcing.
Last week 92% of dnata workers voted no to the company's proposed agreement. Despite offering no changes to the overall terms and conditions, dnata put out the agreement again for workers, 94% of whom voted it down for a second time.
The TWU has also filed Protected Action Ballots for Alliance pilots in South Australia and Queensland, around 90% of whose work is for Qantas.
In 2022 dnata ground workers narrowly avoided having to take strike action over the company trying to wind back pay and conditions.
TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said strikes were always a last resort and that it was in dnata's hands to come forward with a fair offer for workers.
"Dnata ground workers are, like many in aviation, struggling to stay in this industry under the current pay rates and conditions. 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 its clients like Qantas should provide safe and secure jobs.
"Dnata must come back to the table with a fair offer so that low-paid workers and travellers avoid unnecessary disruption over the busy Christmas period.
"Ground handling is a highly-skilled job, but thousands of experienced workers have been forced out of the industry by Qantas' illegal outsourcing, and those who are left are under-staffed, with low wages and insecure jobs. Across the Qantas supply chain workers are now standing up for better pay and conditions.
"We're going to continue seeing a revolving door in aviation and falling standards for passengers until this industry is rebalanced. That will take a Safe and Secure Skies Commission to ensure profit-obsessed executives aren't calling the shots.
A recent YouGov poll found 74% of Australians support an independent body in aviation to set standards for jobs and services.
The TWU has recently made applications using new Same Job Same Pay legislation to lift the wages of Jetstar cabin crew and Qantas Freight workers.
