Australia: Airport chaos looms as CPSU threatens strike action

Australian travellers could face lengthy delays at the nation's airports next week as thousands of Department of Immigration and Border Protection staff walk off the job. The Community and Public Sector Union has notified the department its members will strike for 24 hours from midnight on August 12, with international airports, ports and other sites likely to be affected. Some CPSU members in other departments will also hold a one-hour stop work meeting on the day. The action is in protest over the continuing enterprise bargaining deadlock which has dragged on for nearly three years. Around three-quarters of the Commonwealth's 150,000 public servants remain without an enterprise bargaining agreement despite several attempts to break the deadlock and a series of failed votes. Many of the Commonwealth's largest departments are yet to reach an agreement with staff, with workplace rights and conditions central to the union's demands. The CPSU said the impacts of the nationwide strike would vary from location to location, but with 60-70% of front-line airport staff union members, the impact could be significant.<br/>"As with past strikes the impact of this action is likely to vary from place to place, but may cause delays for international air passengers," CPSU national secretary Nadine Flood said.<br/>