just catching up with the news;
Airtraffic controllers strike. Travel stocks down across the board. The report was good.

Air traffic controllers vote ‘yes’ to industrial action for the first time in over 20 years

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• ByROBYN IRONSIDE

  AVIATION WRITER
• 12:39PM MAY 2, 2024
• 68COMMENTS

Air traffic controllers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action for the first timein more than 20-years, paving the way for significant disruption of air travel.

A total of 825 out of 862 eligible voters had a say in the protection industrial action ballot, with 96 per cent voting yes.

It’s yet to be confirmed what form the industrial action will take, but the air traffic controllers’ union, Civil Air, must give Airservices Australia seven working days’ notice of any strikes.

Civil Air secretary Peter McGuane said members were unhappy with a new enterprise agreement offer which failed to address their concerns around staffing, culture and superannuation benefits.

He said they were remained hopeful industrial action would not be necessary, with a further meeting with Airservices scheduled for Friday.

“We’re certainly hopeful, and that’s how we’re approaching the meeting tomorrow,” said Mr McGuane.

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Air traffic controllers voted on 28 different alternatives for industrial action, including two, four, eight, 12 and 24 hour stoppages, non-performance of overtime and a training ban.

All options were supported.

Anywithdrawal of services by air traffic controllerswould have a significant impact on airport operations, and cause widespread flight delays and cancellations.

An Airservices Australia spokesman said air traffic controllers had been offered an 11.2 per cent pay rise over three years worth a total of $78m, plus the retention of all current conditions.