More delays as airport workers continue strikes

IMMIGRATION and border force workers have walked off the job, with thousands of worldwide travellers facing delays at airports across the country.

The Australian Border Force, has assured travellers that safety matters have been addressed: “Arrangements are in place to protect Australia’s borders and minimise the impact on our operations”, the department posted on its Facebook page. “These workers face a big cut to pay and big cut to their rights”.

The union is angered that the government has refused to meet to discuss their differing issues in the past year.

“Hundreds of mangers have been flown in for a $1 million bandaid operation”.

“We are calling on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to make resolving this dispute a public service priority, with a Minister who’s prepared to talk and hear workers’ legitimate concerns”, Ms Flood said.

Passengers travelling overseas have been urged to allow extra time to take into account the planned strikes.

Travelers are being advised to arrive at the airports earlier than the recommended two hours before departures.

“After check-in, we suggest passengers promptly proceed straight to immigration and customs clearance”.

Further information on the airport stoppages will be published on the Department’s website www.border.gov.au.

Get ready for more than a week of pain if you’re flying in or out of Australia, with strikes hitting global airports at peak times.

Other commonwealth government agencies, including Centrelink, Medicare and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, are also set to take a half-day strike this Thursday.

Mr Evans said he was unsure how long the strike this morning would have delayed passengers.