Over a hundred transport workers will protest at Canberra Airport today as Swissport workers prepare to put a claim on the ground handling company to lift its dangerously low standards in aviation.
Swissport workers are demanding the company ensure job security with increased hours, and conversion to full-time employment. While ground handling jobs used to be well-paid, secure careers, after Qantas' illegal outsourcing the sector has become casualised and insecure, with a revolving door of workers who can't stay in the industry under the poor conditions at companies like Swissport.
TWU members have also obtained evidence of widespread safety breaches, including:
– Damaged ground equipment, unsafe staffing levels, heat-based injuries and psychosocial hazards from intrusive worker surveillance
– Refusal of entry for legally sanctioned safety inspections at Perth Airport
– Last year it was revealed some ports are receiving up to 400 safety reports a month at Swissport
– The TWU has previously revealed other safety breaches at Swissport impacting on the public, from firearms being left on baggage carousels, passenger stairs removed from planes, and plane cargo doors left open.
These follow other horrific incidents across ground handling including a 21-year-old Swissport worker almost losing his leg at Brisbane Airport, a Qantas Freight worker killed on the job last year after being crushed by heavy machinery, and workers being electrocuted
With negotiations underway across ground handling, cabin crew, pilots, security and catering, thousands of aviation workers will have the potential right to take protected industrial action this July, if airlines refuse to lift standards in their supply chains at companies like Swissport.
Workers are calling on airlines and airports to properly fund fair standards in aviation at companies like Swissport and return good jobs to the sector, after a decade of pay and conditions reaching rock bottom under Alan Joyce's reign at Qantas.
The protest takes place as TWU members and officials meet for the union's annual National Council in Canberra, where they will focus on their plan to lift standards across road transport and aviation for workers, and community.
TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said:
"We are here in the nation's capital to send a message to companies like Swissport: enough is enough. Stop risking the lives of workers and ensure they have decent, fair jobs."
"Aviation workers across the industry are literally risking life and limb when they turn up for work. These sorts of standards have been enabled by clients like Qantas, allowing Swissport to employ workers at rock bottom pay and conditions."
"Swissport is just the tip of the iceberg. All across the industry, workers are under deadly pressures, while the airports and airlines are raking in billions in record profits."
"The time is now to return to an aviation industry with skilled and experienced workers, that offers lifelong careers to be proud of, and better standards for passengers."
