Customs and Immigration staff have walked off the job for two hours at airports and seaports across the country, as well as in some offices in the capital cities.
Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) members had been striking at airports over the past fortnight, but today was the first time the action took place at the same time in every major airport. About 2,000 Customs and Immigration staff walked off the job from 9:00am (AEST).
It was protected industrial action in response to what the union said was a Federal Government attack on workers' rights and conditions. Terry Price from the Australian Border Force said it was prepared for the strike and had measures in place to prevent delays and had asked passengers to allow for extra time to be processed at the airport.
The union said the Government had a bargaining policy that put workers at a disadvantage and would see them lose up to $8,000 a year in allowances. Employment Minister Eric Abetz said their call for a 12.5 per cent pay rise in the current climate was out of step with community expectations.
"I would encourage those that are thinking about strike action or undertaking strike action in the public service to think about their fellow Australians who will be paying for any wage increase that they are seeking," Senator Abetz said. CPSU secretary Nadine Flood said the strike action would not threaten security. "Our members take their work very seriously. This action will not affect safety of life at sea, on land, national security or counter-terrorism operations," she said.
"But the Government can resolve this dispute at any point they sit down to reach a sensible agreement." Ms Flood said workers from other affected government departments could take part in future strikes. "We will take further industrial action when it is needed and we will see that across border protection and other Commonwealth agencies. But Government can resolve this dispute at any point," she said. In a joint statement, Customs and the Department of Immigration said it had negotiated to develop an enterprise agreement that provided the best possible outcome in a "challenging operational and fiscal environment".
Information sourced from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-01/customs-staff-to-strike-at-major-airports
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