If you’re flying next Monday, April 15 then you may hear from your airline soon. Airlines are beginning to contact customers about bookings scheduled during a potential strike by aviation firefighters.
Update as of 11th April, 2024: The strike has now been called off after successful negotiations this week.
Negotiations for the next enterprise bargaining agreement between Airservices Australia and the United Firefighters Union of Australia (UFUA) are continuing this week. Airservices Australia is seeking to avoid a 4-hour planned strike by aviation firefighters next Monday.
Why are aviation firefighters striking?
The UFU alleges that passengers lives are being put at unnecessary risk due to a shortage of aviation firefighters. They are also seeking better salaries for firefighters including a 20% pay increase. Airservices Australia has so far offered a salary increase of 11.2% over three years.
The union says an improvement to firefighting facilities is also required, as many facilities are outdated.
If the strike were to go ahead, aviation services would be limited at major airports across Australia. This would likely lead to significant cancellations and delays for much of the day, given it’s planned for between 6 and 10am AEST.
Will the strike still go ahead?
In an update on their website this week, the UFUA said negotiations are “starting to move quicker”. However the strike planned for next Monday is still going ahead at this stage, with the union promising to get “the best possible outcome” for members.
According to the union, senior Airservices Australia staff including Chief Culture and Diversity Officer, Danielle Mesa, and Chief Fire Officer, Rod Evans have joined conversations this week.
Can I change my flight booking?
Ahead of the potential strike action some airlines such as Cathay have begun contacting customers, allowing them change flights without incurring change fees.
“Due to the potential industrial action by Australia’s Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service (ARFFS), we’re waiving all ticket rebooking and rerouting charges – so you can rearrange your plans easily,” Cathay says on their website.
If you’e travelling to or from Australia on April 15, and booked on or before April 9 you may be eligible for waived ticket rebooking and rerouting fees with Cathay. Tickets must be changed by the 15th April, and travel must be completed by the 30th April 2024.
It could be a difficult period for travellers, with aviation firefighters set to be joined by air traffic controllers in undertaking industrial action.