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Sydney Airport security screening staff are set to strike this week over pay and conditions at contractor Certis.
Workers will conduct two sets of 2-hour stoppages from 7.30am–9.30am and 6.00pm–8.00pm on Thursday as part of protected industrial action after 99 per cent voted in favour. It comes as Qantas Freight and QantasLink ground handling staff are also planning strike action.
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According to the TWU, security screening workers are “at breaking point after years of Sydney Airport driving down wages and conditions, despite making massive profits”.
“The TWU is calling on Sydney Airport, which contracts Certis, to step up and fund decent wages and reliable jobs to those who provide crucial safety services to the largest and busiest airport in the country, including more full-time jobs, fair pay, and job security,” the union said.
“Despite their critical safety roles, airport security workers have faced years of uncertainty, with Sydney Airport’s threats to end contracts draining experience and leading to job insecurity, poor pay, and dangerously low standards for workers and passengers.”
TWU NSW State Secretary Richard Olsen pointed to Sydney’s “highest-ever aeronautical profit” of $584.3 million in 2024-25, saying the airport has engaged in “years of cost-cutting”.
“Every passenger travelling through Sydney Airport relies on these workers to perform one of the most important jobs in aviation: keeping people safe. How can they be expected to do that when their wages and conditions are being smashed by the country’s most profitable airport?” he said.
“Aviation is in crisis in this country. Airlines and airports are fuelled by corporate greed and short-term profits, which has destroyed safety, decent jobs and passenger standards at our airports.
“Workers with critical safety roles not knowing if they’ll have a job tomorrow, at the busiest airport in the country, is a safety crisis waiting to happen.
“Sydney Airport is a monopoly raking in hundreds of millions of dollars in aeronautical profits. It can afford to ensure the people keeping passengers safe have secure, decent jobs.”
Sydney Airport is implementing contingency planning to minimise disruption, including rostering extra staff in baggage rooms and passenger facilitation staff in the terminals.
“We are aware of tomorrow’s industrial action at the airport and are working closely with all parties to minimise disruption and maintain passenger safety,” a spokesperson for the airport said.
“We recommend passengers travelling tomorrow allow extra time and stay alert for messages from their airline. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.”
The Certis strike will coincide with a 24-hour work stoppage at Qantas Ground Services (QGS).
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