Flying or cruising to or from Australia today? Then you might want to factor in a little extra time because the customs and immigration team will be on strike.
Staff for the Department of Immigration and Border Protect walked off the job for 24 hours at midnight as part of a three-year conflict with the government over working conditions and pay.
Organised by the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), thousand of workers are expected to take part in industrial action, including those working at airports, ports and other facilities.
According to the union, staff are dissatisfied with negotiations with the Turnbull Government over rights, conditions and real wages
“Workers across the Commonwealth public sector perform crucial roles, providing services to and for the public, and they deserve better than this.”
Nadine Flood, CPSU National Secretary
“All they want is to hang onto their existing workplace rights and get a fair wage outcome that recognises their wages have been frozen for three years.”
To ensure traveller safety, employees in counter-terrorism and intelligence roles have been exempt from strikes.
Additionally, Smart Gates will continue to operate at all Australia international airports, allowing Australians to move a little easier through delays.
