This week, Qantas and DHL jet refuellers at Melbourne airport will strike for 24 hours.
Those planning a trip this week may be met with some major hiccups along the journey. Workers from the airplane refueling company Rivet are planning a day-long strike starting at 4am this Wednesday, which could lead to disruptions on a number of local and international flights out of Tullamarine Airport.
The Victorian brand of the Transport Workers Union says the action comes after a year of talks with Rivet regarding bringing on new staff, increasing workloads, and higher staff wages. Rivet workers service Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways as well as the delivery company DHL.
Melbourne airport strike
- Workers for the refueling company Rivet will strike this week with the hopes of increasing wages and improving working conditions
- The 24-hour strike will begin on Wednesday March 8 at 4am
- Travellers should prepare for significant delays
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
Transport Workers Union assistant branch secretary Mem Suleyman said they have but in an effort to reach a fair agreement with Rivet and have been met with base wage freezes.
“In the current cost-of-living crisis it is unacceptable to expect workers to pick up extra responsibilities and work harder, faster and longer to make ends meet,” he said.
“I think the Australian public have had enough of the Qantas management team. If Alan Joyce wants people to come to @Qantas, he should be reinstating the workers he illegally sacked, and restoring pay and conditions he drove down under the cover of Covid.” pic.twitter.com/Xy2wWIoQtT
— TWU Australia (@TWUAus) March 3, 2023
“These are workers in one of the most dangerous jobs in the airport, yet they are being pushed to the limit while pay and conditions fail to attract more workers to share the load.”
Since the start of 2023, the airport has seen a boost in traffic. In February, it announced that it is now back to pre-pandemic levels since welcoming back flights from mainland China.
So far, the airlines have not announced any official delays for the Melbourne airport strike on Wednesday and have plans to avoid the brunt of the issues by organising alternate fueling services.
To keep up to date with potential travel delays, head here.
