Strike action to disrupt airports

Disruptions are expected at worldwide airports on Monday as Border Force workers strike for 24 hours.

About 5000 workers will take part in the CPSU’s 24-hour strike across the nation’s eight worldwide airports, ports, mail and cargo centres.

Up to 10,000 employees of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, including the Australian Border Force would be striking from 12.01am to 11.50pm today, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Skeleton staff will be on hand to check arrival cards and passports and to carry out customs inspections and screening.

Border Force staff who clear passengers and cargo will be involved in the industrial action, but those involved with counter-terrorism and national security will work as usual.

Authorities warned travellers to arrive up to three hours early for worldwide travel and proceed directly to passport clearance.

In a statement, the department said it had contingency plans in place “to protect Australia’s borders and minimise the impact on business operations”.

“I’m not too anxious at this point…” The strike is also expected to create hold-ups for passengers arriving in Australia as they exit the airport.

One traveller named Carly said it took her “about 20 seconds” to pass through customs.

‘The message is this, these border force workers and working mums and dads like you, all they want the government to do is to stop threatening to cut their current pay, and their working rights, and actually come to the table and negotiate.

Global aiports affected are Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin, Cairns and the Gold Coast.