GBAF Logo
Global Banking & Finance Awards® 2026 Nominations open, free to enter Nominate now →
Qantas ground workers to strike over pay and conditions next week - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
Finance

Qantas ground workers to strike over pay and conditions next week

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on September 18, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: September 18, 2026

Add as preferred source on Google

Qantas Ground Workers Announce 24-Hour Strike Over Pay and Conditions Across Australia

Qantas Ground Workers Plan Nationwide Strike Amid Ongoing Dispute

By Alasdair Pal

Strike Details and Union Statement

SYDNEY, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Hundreds of Qantas ground workers who handle freight and its QantasLink regional flights will strike over pay and working conditions next week, the Transport Workers Union said on Friday.

Workers will strike for a 24-hour period on Wednesday in Victoria state and Thursday in the rest of the country, the union said in a statement.

Union Perspective

"Workers do not take this action lightly. Any disruption to freight, including Australia Post shipments, sits solely at the feet of Qantas management and its brutal disregard for customers and the workforce," TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said.

Qantas Management Response

"We remain committed to reaching an agreement with our Qantas Ground Services employees that includes annual pay rises for our people," a spokesperson for Qantas said in a statement.

Background: Outsourcing and Legal Action

Job Outsourcing During Pandemic

Qantas outsourced the jobs of more than 1,800 ground workers in Australia who handled its broader network during the COVID-19 pandemic, in action later deemed illegal. A court last year ordered the airline to pay a record fine of A$90 million ($64.03 million) over the matter.

Financial Context

($1 = 1.4057 Australian dollars)

Reporting and Editorial Credits

(Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Jamie Freed and Christopher Cushing)

Key Takeaways

  • The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has declared a 24-hour strike by Qantas ground staff over pay and working conditions—Wednesday in Victoria and Thursday nationwide.
  • This industrial action adds pressure as Qantas still contends with consequences from a 2025 Federal Court ruling, which imposed a record A$90 million fine for illegally outsourcing over 1,800 ground-handling roles during the pandemic.
  • Of that penalty, A$50 million went to the TWU and the remaining A$40 million was earmarked for affected workers; as of September 2026, the Federal Court ordered distribution of roughly A$35 million of the remaining funds based on workers’ length of service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Qantas ground workers going on strike?
Qantas ground workers are striking over pay and working conditions, seeking better annual pay rises and improved terms.
When will the Qantas strike take place?
The strike will occur for 24 hours on Wednesday in Victoria and on Thursday in the rest of Australia.
Who represents the striking Qantas workers?
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) represents the Qantas ground workers involved in the strike.
How will the strike affect services?
The strike may disrupt freight handling, including Australia Post shipments, as well as QantasLink regional flights.
What was the outcome of Qantas outsourcing jobs during the pandemic?
Qantas was ordered to pay a record fine of A$90 million for illegally outsourcing 1,800 ground workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tags

Related Articles

More from Finance

Explore more articles in the Finance category