Qantas strike off as dnata ground handlers strike deal

Dnata ground handlers have called off next week’s 24-hour strike after securing an immediate 12.6% pay rise. The TWU said the deal also stopped “attempts to scale back overtime entitlements” and would amount to a 17% pay increase over four years. Workers had been due to strike on Monday in a move that would have caused huge disruption for Qantas international passengers, as well as those flying with Emirates and Etihad. The Flying Kangaroo outsourced 2,000 in-house ground handling roles to third-party companies, including Dnata and Swissport last year. The Federal Court twice ruled that decision breached the Fair Work Act, but crucially said those employees won’t be able to get their old jobs back and instead must accept compensation. The TWU had argued that the deal struck between Qantas and Dnata led to worse working terms than ground handlers previously received while working direct for the airline. The union’s national secretary, Michael Kaine, said, “After more than two years of turmoil for Dnata workers denied JobKeeper, they’re thrilled to have locked in greater financial security and the possibility of converting casual and part-time roles to secure, full-time positions. “It’s a relief for hardworking families that last resort strike action is no longer necessary. It shouldn’t be so hard for workers to achieve pay increases above bare minimums and job security. In Qantas’ supply chain, workers have had to take on a corporate dictatorship squeezing pay and conditions through commercial pressures after Qantas management illegally outsourced work.”<br/>