AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS COULD STRIKE FOR FIRST TIME IN 20 YEARS CAUSING WIDESPREAD TRAVEL CHAOS
- Air traffic controllers threaten first strike in 20 years
- READ MORE: Air travellers brace for Easter chaos
Air traffic controllers are threatening to walk off the job for the first time in over two decades over claims they are drastically understaffed and overworked.
Union Civil Air is planning to make an application for protected industrial action with the Fair Work Commission after Easter - setting the scene for the first strike since 2002 which could see school holiday travel thrown into chaos.
Executive secretary Peter McGuane said too much was being asked of air traffic controllers with staff shortages exacerbated by the introduction of extra projects.
Mr McGuane said projects such as a digitised system to control traffic in and out of Western Sydney were putting strain on the already overworked staff.
'They're saying "If you want these conditions you're going to have to trade off something else to fund it",' he told the Daily Telegraph.
'We don't accept that position, and that's why it's our intention to explore the processes before Fair Work.
Mr McGuane said the course of action had been decided after 14 meetings with Airservices failed to address the needs of fed-up traffic controllers.
'Airservices was clearly warned on multiple occasions about the white-hot anger and despair that exists among employees due to the torrid workplace environment, and the appetite to pursue further action if claims were not met,' he said.
'They chose to ignore these warnings.'
In a note to members, Civil Air explained there had been 14 meetings with Airservices since November 2023.
'It is clear that despite 14 meetings, Airservices is not interested in actually considering our claims as serious items proposed by our members, and still believe that they are ambit,' it said.
An Airservices spokeswoman said negotiations were continuing and they still believed a new enterprise agreement could be made without the need for industrial action.
She said Airservices was offering a a $75million pay rise to the 900-plus air traffic controllers, which ammounts to 11.2 per cent over three years and is in line with the Australian Public Service Commission's recent pay decision.
'Civil Air is seeking a 20 per cent increase over three years,' she said.
The spokesperson also said staff shortages were being addressed with 70 new air traffic controllers to start work this year and with plans to recruit another 80.
If the air traffic controllers walk off the job it will be the first such strike since 2002 with the one previous to that being in 1977.
A recent Senate Estimates heard the absence of just two air traffic controllers in Sydney was enough to cause widespread flight delays.
There are 20 claims out of 28 that remain at issue with employer Airservices Australia including a demand to raise superannuation contributions from the 11 per cent staff receive up towards the 15.4 per cent cap allowed by public service rules.
The looming industrial action could pose double trouble for airports with aviation firefighters also preparing to strike.
Aviation firefighters are set to take industrial action from April 5, potentially disrupting school holiday flights.
They are also seeking a 20 per cent pay rise over three years, after rejecting Airservices' offer of an 11.2 per cent increase.
Read more 2024-03-29T13:56:04Z dg43tfdfdgfd