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Transport Workers’ Union members have protested at airports around the country over what they say are attempts by airlines and ground handling firms to lower working standards in aviation.
The TWU has accused Qantas, and its ground handling partner Swissport, of “Joyce-era tactics” and “dangerously low standards” in pay, conditions, and safety. Members picketed at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth Airports on Thursday.
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“What is abundantly clear is that despite promises of change after the largest illegal outsourcing in Australia’s history, Qantas is still actively working to decimate standards in aviation,” said TWU national secretary Michael Kaine.
“Right across the Qantas supply chain, workers are being injured and even killed just doing their jobs. Their jobs are insecure and casualised, where they once used to be lifetime careers.
“Instead of investing in its workforce, Qantas is still doing its utmost to drag standards to rock bottom by shipping it out to companies like Swissport where we have seen horrific worker injuries.
“Aviation is in crisis, and the dysfunction is only going to continue without a mechanism that brings the entire industry together towards decisions that benefit the whole community.”
In a statement, a Swissport spokesperson dismissed the protests, saying its operations are safe and the union is distorting the facts on the ground.
“The Transport Workers’ Union is seeking to present a false and malicious view of Swissport’s market leading safety record as part of a transparent industrial campaign leading into the next Enterprise Agreement, that will be negotiated over the coming 12 months.
“Distorting the facts is neither credible nor believable. This may explain why fewer than 10 per cent of Swissport employees choose to belong to the TWU.”
According to Swissport, its outsourced operations are safer than previous direct employment, with a 56 per cent reduction in recordable injuries, 43 per cent total reduction in lost time injuries, and 75 per cent improvement in aircraft damage prevention since it took over Qantas ground handling.
“Culturally we encourage all Swissport workers to lodge safety reports, however minor, as part of a rigorous safety-first culture,” the spokesperson said.
“This proactive approach captures thousands of observations monthly, including competitor operations, airline procedures at specific airports, and internal Swissport activities.
“It has resulted in Swissport achieving one of the strongest safety records of any aviation ground handler in Australia, the best compliance ratings for ramp and baggage operations and the best safety campaign completion rates.”
Swissport customers in Australia and New Zealand include Batik Air, VietJet and LATAM.
The company met with controversy when it won the bid for Qantas’ outsourced ground handling services in 2020, a decision which saw Qantas successfully sued in the High Court for the illegal sacking of around 1,700 ground workers.
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