Airport firefighters have announced their first strike will take place between 6am and 10am on Friday, 9 December – in a move likely to cause huge disruption for passengers.

The United Firefighters Union aviation secretary Wes Garrett said the union believes there “won’t be any aircraft moving” during those four hours.

Earlier this month, the United Firefighters Union voted 93 per cent in favour of work stoppages between two and 12 hours, and also upheld a no-confidence motion in Airservices Australia. It then secured a crucial extension that meant industrial action could take place over the busy Christmas holiday period.

“Every day the lives of 2500 air travellers across Australia are being put at risk because they don’t have the protection they need from understaffed aviation firefighters,” said Garrett.

“Air travellers don’t have the protection they need because (employer) Airservices cut 100 aviation firefighters from Australia’s airports to cut costs in October 2021.

“Now, every month, over 600 flights are operating from Australia’s airports without the aviation firefighting protection they require under international aviation safety regulation.”

The UFU is thought to be seeking a 15.5 per cent pay rise over three years as well as a commitment to hiring more staff.

Airservices Australia, the government-owned organisation responsible for airport rescue and firefighting, is offering an increase of 11.5 per cent.

Should a strike take place, it would mean local fire brigades would have to pick up the extra work — though some airlines could refuse to land at airports.

Airservices earlier said the UFU should “return to the negotiating table” and argued it had already made a “generous” offer to union members.

“Airservices will take all steps necessary to prevent disruptions to flights as a result of the industrial action,” it said.

“Our priority is to ensure the safe and efficient continuation of our services to keep Australian aviation moving.

“Airservices will continue to respond to the safety needs of airlines, airports and the travelling public.”

Further strikes have the potential to significantly damage Qantas’ plan to increase its domestic capacity over the holiday period to take advantage of surging demand.

Across the industry, the domestic industry peaked at 97 per cent pre-pandemic passenger numbers in June, but it came alongside all-time records for delays being broken that month and in April and July.

Since then, the industry has recruited thousands of extra staff and cut flights to improve the passenger experience.

The UFU’s announcement follows Dnata catering staff and Menzies ground handlers calling off a vote on industrial action after securing pay rises and job security protections in September. Dnata ground handlers also called off a planned 24-hour strike after securing an immediate 12.6 per cent pay rise.

Qantas cabin crew also voted almost unanimously in favour of strike action after being asked to work longer shifts and have shorter rest times.

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• Source: https://australianaviation.com.au/2022/11/airport-firefighters-to-strike-for-4-hours-on-friday-9-december/