A Qantas and a Virgin aeroplane at Sydney International Airport in Sydney, Australia, on April 3, 2025. David Gray/AFP via Getty Images
Travellers have been cautioned about planned worker strikes at Australia’s busiest airport from Oct. 16.
National air carrier Qantas warned customers that security screening staff at Sydney Airport would partake in industrial action, which is expected to disrupt all airlines over the course of the day.
“We will have more Qantas team members in place to help get customers and their bags on their way,” the company said in a statement.
“We encourage all travellers to give themselves more time at the airport.”
The airline also said it was willing to provide flexibility to customers who wished to change their flights.
The industrial action is likely to affect all airline services operating from Sydney.
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In a statement to The Epoch Times, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) said the strike would be held across all domestic and international terminals from 6 a.m. till 10 a.m., then again from 5 p.m. till 9 p.m.
TWU New South Wales State Secretary Richard Olsen called for more full-time jobs, fairer rostering, and to protest any cuts to part-time hours.
“Sydney security workers perform safety-critical work for the busiest airport in Australia, but Sydney Airport has spent years smashing their conditions and keeping contracts in limbo so it can fatten its bottom line,” Olsen said.
“How can these workers get mortgages, fulfill caring responsibilities and take care of families, if their hours are further cut, or when their shifts can change around at a whim?”
A spokesperson for Certis, the company contracted to provide security screening services, said it valued the work of its employees and the role they play.
“On Thursday our employees received a new offer for their consideration,” the spokesperson told The Epoch Times.
“Certis remains committed to constructive bargaining towards a fair and sustainable agreement.
“We are disappointed that, with that offer on the table, the TWU has chosen instead to proceed with industrial action that affects the travelling public.”
A Sydney Airport spokesperson told The Epoch Times it would work closely with all parties on Oct. 16 to help prevent disruption to travellers and maintain safety.
“We recommend passengers travelling on Friday allow extra time and stay alert for messages from their airline,” they said.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as the situation evolves.”
