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Air traffic control strike threatens Australian airports | Travel News | News.com.au
Air traffic control strike threatens Australian airports
AAP
February 11, 2009 04:50pm
PASSENGERS could find themselves stranded in Australian airports as air traffic controllers threaten to go on strike.
Airservices Australia, which employs the controllers, claims workers have been coordinating mass sick days in a series of unofficial strikes.
But the results of an official ballot on industrial action will be announced tomorrow.
The controller's union, Civil Air, called off Christmas industrial action, but was almost certain members have voted to go on strike in the coming weeks.
Strikes could start as soon as February 24.
While Transport Minister Anthony Albanese would not talk about the possibility of airports grinding to a halt nationwide, opposition transport spokesman Warren Truss warned of coming chaos.
"Airlines have privately indicated that they are likely to cancel services rather than allow planes to fly in airspace which may or may not be monitored by air traffic controllers," Mr Truss said.
He said much of the union's demands seemed excessive, but also called on the government to show what plans it had to counter strike action.
"A full industrial war at our airports is simply not needed at any time, but right now it is lunacy.
"Our nation can ill-afford to have its response to the economic downturn hindered by the wage demands of a handful."
Sticking points in the negotiations between Airservices Australia and Civil Air have centred around a massive pay rise and retaining unlimited sick leave.
The union argues unlimited sick leave is necessary in an industry where sick workers could potentially put lives at risk.
Counting of the ballot, to be overseen by the Australian Electoral Commission, will start on Thursday morning and a result will likely be known in the afternoon.