Jetstar airport workers to vote on industrial action

The move comes after Qantas Group posted a full-year profit for the 2026 financial year, which ASU assistant national secretary Scott Cowen said “should mean something for the people on the ground keeping Jetstar running”.

“The Qantas Group has just confirmed a $2.06 billion profit and it has handed $700 million back to shareholders this financial year, all while Jetstar’s answer to the workers who helped deliver that result is to ask them to accept the bare minimum,” he said.

“Jetstar’s offer is just not good enough for workers who are the lowest paid in the Qantas Group and who are already telling us they’re going into debt just to get by.

“Workers don’t want to have to take industrial action but the company’s complete failure to deal with the cost-of-living and extreme heat means that we’re left with no other choice.

“If there’s $700 million to return to shareholders, there’s money to pay Jetstar workers a fair wage. It says everything about Jetstar’s priorities that on the same day the Qantas Group announces a bumper profit, our members are having to prepare a ballot just to be heard.”

Jetstar’s current offer increases pay by three per cent per year over the four years of the agreement, starting April 2026, with Cowen saying improvements are needed.

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“Our members just want a fair offer that actually reflects the profit they’re helping to generate and Jetstar needs to come to the table to make that a reality today,” said Cowen.

“One of the actions on the table is waiving fees for things like excess baggage and seat changes, the very fees Jetstar has been steadily adding for passengers.

“Our members are the ones who have to enforce those charges every day. It’s not lost on them that Jetstar can find money to chase extra fees from customers, but not to pay its own people properly.”

A Jetstar spokesperson said the airline has “put a comprehensive and fair offer on the table that includes pay increases, improved penalty payments and allowances and more flexibility in rostering”.

“We’re doing this while also making sure that we can keep investing in our fleet and growing our network, while still keeping fares low despite escalating fuel costs impacting the industry,” the spokesperson said.

“We’ve been working constructively with the Union and met on multiple occasions over recent days and have another meeting on Friday.

“We remain committed to continuing to work with the ASU to reach the best agreement for our team members and our business that also means we can keep offering the lowest fares possible.”

The earliest date action could take place would be 12 September, and Australian Aviation understands Jetstar has contingency plans to minimise any impact to customers.