https://www.heraldsun.com.au/busines...3e1ae33f3beAir traffic controllers are set to vote on what would be their first industrial action in more than 20 years after 14 meetings with Airservices failed to address their concerns.
With aviation firefighters also preparing to strike in coming weeks, the air traffic controllers’ union Civil Air said it would apply to the Fair Work Commission after Easter for a protected action ballot order.
Among the concerns of air traffic controllers are
ongoing shortages of staff and resources at a time when they are expected to be delivering new initiatives and projects, including a
digital control tower at the new Western Sydney Airport.
Civil Air executive secretary Peter McGuane said they were also frustrated that although the government’s public service framework allowed for a 15.4 per cent superannuation contribution from employers, Airservices was refusing to pay more than 11 per cent.
“They’re saying ‘if you want these conditions you’re going to have to trade off something else to fund it’,” Mr McGuane said.
“We don’t accept that position, and that’s why it’s our intention to explore the processes before Fair Work.”
Airservices Australia recently sought to increase fees to airlines by 19 per cent in nominal terms following a 2 per cent reduction in 2019. The proposed hike was being examined by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
In a note to members, Civil Air explained there had been 14 meetings with Airservices since November 2023 yet 20 of their 28 claims were still to be finalised.
“Most have nothing to do with remuneration but address ongoing work life balance and equity issues in the workplace,” the note said.
“It is clear that despite 14 meetings, Airservices is not interested in actually considering our claims as serious items proposed by our members, and still believe that they are ambit.”
Air traffic controllers in the main control room at Brisbane. Picture: Lyndon MechielsenAn application for a protected industrial action ballot would be made with Fair Work after Easter, laying the groundwork for the first strikes by air traffic controllers since 2002.
Before that, air traffic controllers last took industrial action in 1977.
Mr McGuane said they were disappointed such a course of action was required but felt they had been left with no choice.
“Airservices was clearly warned on multiple occasions about the white-hot anger and despair that exists among employees due to the torrid workplace environment, and the appetite to pursue further action if claims were not met,” he said.
“They chose to ignore these warnings.”
An Airservices spokeswoman said enterprise agreement negotiations were continuing, and they would seek to finalise a new deal without interruption to the travelling public.
She said Airservices was offering a “a $75m pay rise” to the 900-plus air traffic controllers, comprising 11.2 per cent over three years in line with the Australian Public Service Commission’s recent pay decision.
“Civil Air is seeking a 20 per cent increase over three years,” the spokeswoman said.
Despite a recent Senate Estimates hearing being told
the absence of just two air traffic controllers in Sydney was enough to cause widespread flight delays, Airservices insisted staff shortages were being addressed.
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More than 70 new air traffic controllers are due to be operational this year, with plans to recruit another 80 every year moving forward.
Aviation firefighters are due to take industrial action from April 5, potentially disrupting school holiday operations at major airports.
They are also seeking a 20 per cent pay rise over three years, after rejecting Airservices’ offer of 11.2 per cent.
Originally published as
Air traffic controllers threaten first strikes in more than 20 years over super, pay and staffing