Delays expected at global airports

Travellers passing through Australia tomorrow could be in for long airport delays with immigration department officials taking industrial action.

“They’ve been SMSing their clients and also emailing their clients so the travelling public should be fully aware of the intended action”.

The union says workers in national security, counter-terrorism and specialist biosecurity hazard role won’t participate in the industrial action.

Flood said to The Australian the action “will impact on the public” but “the real target is the Abbott Government’s unfair and unworkable bargaining policy which stands between these workers and getting a fair deal”. More strike action is scheduled from 8pm until midnight.

Department of Immigration and Border Protection workers at Melbourne Airport will walk off the job for four hours from 7.30am while Australian Border Force Marine Unit workers will take part in in-port bans throughout the week.

The union’s national secretary, Nadine Flood, said workers were facing losses of up to $8000 a year in allowances from their take-home pay.

The next worldwide flight is not expected until 9.15am (CST). “We are ensuring appropriate contingencies are in place for visa and citizenship services”.

“That’s happening in protest of the federal government’s attack on their pay conditions and rights at work”, he said.

Melbourne Airport spokeswoman Anna Gillett said delays were yet to occur, but she also asked worldwide passengers to “come in as early as they can, noting that check-in only opens three hours beforehand”.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Terry Price says extra resources have been brought in, but travellers should expect delays.