Jetstar passengers will have excess baggage and other airport fees waived during industrial action by around 1,000 customer service workers across major Australian airports.
The Australian Services Union said the protected action will run from 12.01am on Wednesday until midnight on Thursday, with staff continuing to assist travellers but refusing to collect certain additional charges on the airline’s behalf.
Passengers checking in with extra luggage, sporting equipment or other bulky items will not pay the usual fees. Charges for excess baggage, seat selection and late services will instead be recorded as zero.
Jetstar workers seek pay and conditions improvements
The fee waivers come as Jetstar customer service workers seek higher wages and improved working conditions, including increased overtime payments, an additional loading for morning shifts, better leave arrangements, weather protections and greater job security.
The action has been scheduled during a busy period for the airline, with school holidays under way in Queensland and Victoria and the AFL and NRL grand finals approaching.
The union said members voted in favour of protected industrial action in a ballot held in late August. Workers are seeking pay aligned with other employees across the Qantas Group.
A Jetstar spokesperson said the planned action would not affect the airline’s operations and that a package had been offered to staff.
“We’ve put a comprehensive and fair offer on the table that includes pay increases, improved penalty payments and allowances, as well as more flexibility in rostering,” the spokesperson said.
“This is a great package for our people, which also allows us to keep investing in our fleet and grow our network while keeping fares low, despite escalating fuel costs impacting the industry.”
The airline said it remained “committed to working constructively towards an outcome”.
