Australian airports likely to face disruptions due to workers strike

TIN news:          Passengers at seven Australian airports including Melbourne, and sea ports are likely to experience delays as a result of a strike called by the immigration and border protection employees early next month.
 
Members of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) working in the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) will walk off their work for four hours to protest against a dispute between the union and the government regarding pay and conditions, reported the Sydney Morning Herald.
 
The major impact of the strike is expected to be felt during the peak working hours of 4 August.
"The Abbott Government has cut more than 17,000 public sector jobs and is now going after the pay and conditions of those left."
 
The latest call for strike is part of a series of similar strikes called by the union members that are said to have affected around 16 government agencies across the country.
 
CPSU national secretary Nadine Flood said: "The Abbott Government has cut more than 17,000 public sector jobs and is now going after the pay and conditions of those left. Workers are facing the loss of up to $8,000 a year - even more for those in remote areas or with specialised skills - from their take home pay.
 
"The Abbott Government and the Department have had more than a year to sit down with the union and work out a fair deal that protects the rights, conditions and take home pay of these hardworking people.
 
"Instead, agencies are being told they must put forward draconian deals worse than any major private sector employer."
 
In addition to DIBP workers, members working in the Department of Agriculture (including Quarantine) and the Australian Border Force Marine Unit will also participate in the strike.
 
However, CPSU members working in national security, counter-terrorism and specialist biosecurity hazard roles in DIBP and the Department of Agriculture will not participate.
 
Melbourne Airport spokeswoman Anna Gillett said that the airport would work closely with the border force to minimise any disruptions to passengers.