Menzies Brisbane ground workers to strike for 2 days this week

Menzies provides cargo services for airlines including United Airlines, Qatar, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific and Eva Air. (Image: Menzies Aviation)

Menzies Aviation ground workers at Brisbane Airport will strike for two days later this week.

Over 90 per cent of Menzies Cargo TWU members in Brisbane, who supply cargo services to United Airlines, Qatar, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific and Eva Air, will walk off the job on Thursday and Friday, saying they are being paid $6,000 less than counterparts in Sydney and Melbourne for the same work.

More than 20 workers will strike from 2pm to 2am on Thursday and from 5am to 2pm on Friday, demanding the same rate as their southern co-workers as well as secure work with regular hours and a focus on safety and security rather than “a focus on engaging work to be carried out for the lowest cost possible”.

Jared Abbott of TWU Queensland said members at Menzies in Brisbane have voted 100 per cent for protected industrial action, which includes unlimited stoppages of 24 hours in an effort to obtain a new enterprise agreement.

“If you are doing the same job, you should be paid the same and enjoy the same conditions. Our goal is to secure equal pay for our QLD members that are doing the same job as workers in Sydney and Melbourne,” he said.

Last year, Dnata catering staff and Menzies ground handlers called off a vote on industrial action after securing pay rises and job security protections in September.