The union claims that Airservices Australia, which is responsible for provision of aviation rescue firefighting (ARFF) services at airports around the country, has refused to agree to minimum staffing requirements that would “protect air travellers’ safety, reduce unsustainable firefighter fatigue and ensure Airservices’ compliance with directives issued by the Minister for Transport and aviation safety laws”.

Wes Garrett, the UFUA’s aviation branch secretary, said domestic and international flights have been taking off and landing without the required number of firefighters and trucks on hand.

“In some cases, flights operated with no aviation firefighters on duty, particularly at regional airports such as the Sunshine Coast and Launceston when flights were delayed into the early morning hours,” he said.

“At other locations such as the Gold Coast airport, large international flights carrying up to 365 passengers did not have the aviation firefighter protection required under international aviation safety law.

“Not only is the situation a brazen breach of international aviation safety laws, but it also puts air travellers at significant risk. When aviation firefighters are understaffed, their capacity to rescue passengers from burning aircraft is significantly reduced.

“That’s why it is so critical aviation firefighting services are fully staffed, properly equipped and ready to respond at a moment’s notice; we’re here to protect the passengers and crew of aircraft that carry vast amounts of fuel and up to 500 passengers.”

If members vote in favour of the action, Airservices will be required to provide seven days’ notice that ARFF services will be unavailable at Australia’s 27 largest airports.

“As a result, airlines will have seven days’ notice to reschedule or cancel flights during these periods,” said Garrett.

“If airlines continue to operate during this time, they will do so in full knowledge of the risks to passengers and crews; Airservices would also be in breach of international and domestic safety legislation, not that this has perturbed them in recent years.”

In a statement, an Airservices spokesperson rejected claims of understaffing, saying that it has sufficient ARFF staff to meet its operational requirements and is continuing to recruit for future needs.

Additionally, Airservices said that the firefighters are also seeking a 20 per cent pay rise as part of enterprise agreement negotiations, which it claimed would cost an additional $128 million.

“As part of negotiations which commenced in September, Airservices has offered a $32 million pay rise comprising 11.2 per cent over three years in line with the Australian Public Service Commission’s recent pay decision, as well as the retention of all current conditions,” the spokesperson said.

“As an industry-funded organisation, any increase in Airservices’ operating costs is ultimately passed on to passengers in the form of higher airfares.

“The potential industrial action includes work stoppages which could disrupt the travel plans of tens of thousands of Australians and international visitors during the peak Easter holiday season, at a time when the Australian aviation sector is still recovering from the impact of the pandemic.

“Airservices will take all available steps to minimise disruptions to flights as a result of industrial action, and will work with airlines and airports to maintain safe operations.”

Airservices currently employs more than 830 firefighters, with another 48 expected to join this year.

“Airservices will continue to seek a resolution with the UFUAV to deliver a fair outcome for our ARFF services employees that avoids disruption to the travelling public,” the spokesperson said.