Pic:Gttey ImagesSYDNEY: Holidaymakers and business travellers are being warned they could face big delays at airports around the nation on Monday as hundreds of border patrol officers go on a 24-hour strike.
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People at the Sydney worldwide Airport during a previous strike by Customs officers which caused significant delays.
BORDER Force staff began a strike at midnight as part of industrial action to protect pay and conditions.
Nadine Flood from the Community and Public Sector Union said cuts to conditions could see a few staff lose up to $20,000 from their current pay packets.
Skeleton staff will be on hand to check arrival cards and passports and to carry out customs inspections and screening.
Melbourne Airport spokeswoman Anna Gillett advised anybody due to depart on an global flight on Monday to arrive as early as possible within the three-hour check-in period.
“We got here at 5:00 and our flight doesn’t leave here until 2:30 in the afternoon”, one traveller said.
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. The strike is also expected to create hold-ups for passengers arriving in Australia as they exit the airport.
“With this dispute dragging on for over a year it is time for government to sit down and sort this out”, she said.
“My friend just messaged me and said “it’s going to take ages, they’re all in strike” and I thought, “Oh great”, but then I went straight through”, she said.
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The affected airports are Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin, Cairns and the Gold Coast.
