Qantas Strike Planned
Qantas Ground Workers Plan Upcoming Strikes Over Pay And Job Security
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Key Points
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The planned 24-hour walkouts are scheduled for Wednesday, September 23, in Victoria and Thursday, September 24, across the rest of Australia.
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The TWU says workers are also seeking more opportunities to move into full-time employment, in addition to higher wages and stronger job security.
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TWU national secretary Michael Kaine accused Qantas management of reviving what he called the “despicable Alan Joyce tactic” of splintering the workforce to suppress wages and weaken conditions, while saying workers do not take strike action lightly.
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Qantas Ground Services employees at the center of the dispute do not service the airline’s domestic or international aircraft; the agreement covers about 650 employees, most of whom work on Qantas Freight and some QantasLink services.
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The 2025 legal resolution included a $90 million Federal Court fine and a separate $120 million compensation payment to workers who were illegally dismissed; Qantas has paid both amounts.
About 600 Qantas ground workers plan to strike next week over pay, job security, and fragmented employment deals. Australian Aviation reports the 24-hour walkouts are scheduled for Wednesday, September 23, in Victoria and Thursday, September 24, across the rest of Australia. The Transport Workers' Union wants a single agreement covering all ground staff and freight handlers instead of multiple arrangements that weaken bargaining power.
The workers, mostly supporting Qantas Freight and regional QantasLink services, are also seeking higher wages and more chances to move into full-time roles. Karry On notes that Qantas says it has contingency plans to minimize disruptions and will pursue talks through the Fair Work Commission. This dispute follows Qantas' unlawful outsourcing of 1,800 ground jobs during the pandemic, which resulted in a $90 million federal court fine and $120 million in worker compensation.
Multiple Contracts Fracture Worker Power
The Transport Workers' Union says fragmented employment agreements across different Qantas businesses and labor-hire groups weaken the ability to negotiate decent conditions. GRAFA explains that workers handle freight and regional flights, but their contracts vary depending on which division employs them. Union national secretary Michael Kaine accused Qantas management of reviving what he called the "despicable Alan Joyce tactic" of splitting the workforce to suppress wages and weaken protections.
Qantas Faces Fallout From Past Illegal Outsourcing
The current strike stems partly from Qantas' decision to illegally outsource about 1,800 ground jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2025, the airline faced major legal consequences. Dev Discourse notes the company paid a $90 million Federal Court fine and $120 million in compensation to workers who were wrongfully dismissed. Both payments have already been made.
Strike Timed During School Holidays to Limit Impact
The union deliberately scheduled the action during school holidays to minimize passenger disruptions. Herald Online reports that most affected workers support Qantas Freight operations and some QantasLink regional services—not the airline's main domestic or international flights. Qantas says it has developed contingency plans to keep operations running and protect customers from major problems.
Union Seeks Full-Time Jobs and Better Security
Beyond higher wages, the Transport Workers' Union is pushing for job security and more pathways into permanent employment. Workers currently split between full-time and casual positions want clearer routes to stable jobs with better benefits. The union has made clear that strike action is a last resort and that workers do not take such measures lightly.
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