A major relief for holiday travellers, with a proposed strike by security staff at multiple airports called off.
Security guards were planning to walk off the job at Canberra Airport on Friday, while workers at Brisbane and Gold Coast Airports were going to strike on Monday over an ongoing pay dispute.
Security workers said they had been fighting for six months to be paid at similar rates and conditions to their NSW and Victorian counterparts, leading to the industrial action.
There were fears it would cause major disruptions at one of the busiest times of year, however, the crisis has now been averted with a deal reached and the strike called off.
“Gold Coast Airport is pleased the United Workers Union and ISS have been able to reach a resolution, ahead of the planned industrial action on Monday December 19,” Queensland Airports Limited Chief Operating Officer Marion Charlton said.
“This is the best possible outcome for the tens of thousands of passengers whose long-awaited Christmas travel plans would have been disrupted should the industrial action have gone ahead”.
A Brisbane Airport spokesperson also echoed similar sentiments.
“This is great news for the travelling public who will now be able to continue packing for their Christmas holidays,” they said.
“Brisbane Airport Corporation would like to acknowledge the important role ISS Security officers play in maintaining safety at our airport, and thanks them for the commitment they display to travellers and visitors to the terminals”.
