Australia baggage handler strike could impact Christmas flights

About 1,000 Dnata employees in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia voted for industrial action.

It is the second time workers have rejected Dnata’s pay offer which is tied to job security and a change in rostering.

“Wages for workers getting Qantas planes off the ground have been slashed and suppressed,” the Transport Workers Union (TWU) said.

Dnata provides baggage handling for airlines at airports in Australia and worldwide,

Workers are demanding better rostering and pay.

The union is due for further talks with Dnata.

“Dnata ground workers are, like many in aviation, struggling to stay in this industry under the current pay rates and conditions,” TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said.

“Dnata must come back to the table with a fair offer.”

“Should an industrial action go ahead, our robust contingency plans will help us minimise any impact,” Dnata said.