A Qantas ground workers strike is under way at five major Australian airports today, Wednesday 28 October, including Perth, as hundreds of freight, baggage and regional airline ground staff walk off the job for 24 hours in a long-running dispute over pay, job security and safety. Qantas says its flights had not been affected as of 9am, but the action adds to industrial tension across the aviation sector.

The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) says the workers want fair pay, more full-time jobs and a return to a single Qantas employer. Here is what the strike involves, what each side is saying and what it means for travellers and freight in Western Australia.

What the Qantas ground workers strike involves

According to Travel Weekly, workers at Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth airports are taking part in the 24-hour stoppage. The workers include staff in the airline’s ground services, freight and QantasLink regional operations, who handle baggage, aircraft towing and cargo, including freight such as Australia Post parcels.

The airline has said fewer than 600 workers across three workgroups are eligible to take protected industrial action, which is legally sanctioned action following a vote. A Sydney Airport spokesperson said minimal impact was expected, and Qantas said it had contingency plans in place.

What the TWU wants

The union says the workers were split by the previous Qantas management across three separate companies and want that reversed. In a statement, the TWU set out three main demands:

• Fair pay: Wages in line with industry standards after what it calls a decade of wage suppression.
• More full-time jobs and hours: Fewer insecure or part-time roles and guaranteed working hours.
• One Qantas banner: Bringing workers back under a single Qantas structure, which the union argues would reduce safety failures and stop workers being pitted against each other.

The union has also made serious allegations about workplace safety. Those are the union’s claims, and Qantas has not accepted the TWU’s characterisation.

What Qantas says

Qantas says it is committed to reaching a fair enterprise agreement with its Qantas Ground Services employees. It has proposed a deal that includes pay backdated to September 2025, pay increases of up to 26% over the life of the agreement, and more full-time opportunities and guaranteed part-time hours, according to reports.

The airline has also said the company structures criticised by the union were created under previous leadership. At 9am on Wednesday it said there was no disruption to customers, with all QantasLink services departing Sydney on time.

Background: outsourcing and a record penalty

The dispute has deep roots. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Qantas outsourced the jobs of more than 1,800 ground workers, a move later found to be illegal. A court last year ordered the airline to pay a record $90 million fine over the matter, Reuters reported when a similar strike took place in September.

That earlier 24-hour strike, on 24 September, hit Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, and included additional stoppages by up to 400 safety screeners in Sydney. Today’s action extends to Melbourne and follows the same pattern of escalating, short stoppages.

Wider tension in aviation

Qantas is not the only airline facing industrial pressure. Travel Weekly reports that Virgin Australia cabin crew are preparing to vote on potential strike action over pay and working conditions. Analysts will be watching whether a settlement at Qantas sets a benchmark for the wider industry, though no such outcome is certain.

What it means for Perth and WA travellers

Perth Airport is one of the five affected sites, and QantasLink serves regional and resource destinations across the state. So far Qantas says customers have not been affected. Still, short stoppages can cause delays to baggage handling and freight, particularly for regional services and parcels. Travellers can reduce the risk by:

• Checking flight status in the airline’s app or on its website before leaving for the airport.
• Allowing extra time, and keeping essential items in carry-on baggage.
• Contacting the airline early if a flight is delayed or cancelled, and asking about rebooking or refunds under its conditions.
• Allowing extra time for parcels and freight shipments, which may arrive later than usual.

The broader job market is also under pressure, as shown in our look at the latest unemployment figures, which can influence how workers and employers approach pay negotiations.

What happens next

There is no settlement yet. Bargaining over the Qantas Ground Services agreement continues, and the union has stepped up action in recent weeks. Further stoppages are possible if talks stall, so travellers should keep an eye on announcements from Qantas and the TWU.

Frequently asked questions

Are Qantas flights cancelled because of the strike?

Qantas said there had been no disruption to its flights as of 9am on Wednesday. Check your booking for updates, as conditions can change during the day.

Which airports are affected by the Qantas strike?

Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth airports.

Why are Qantas ground workers striking?

The TWU says it wants fair pay, more full-time jobs and hours, and for workers to be brought back under a single Qantas structure. Qantas says it is working towards an enterprise agreement that includes pay rises and more secure hours.

Could the strike delay parcels and freight?

It is possible. Freight workers are among those taking industrial action, so some deliveries could be delayed, although Qantas has contingency plans.

Image: Bahnfrend / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)