Jetstar staff to waive baggage fees on ‘No Weigh Day’ (ASU-Australia)
October 12, 2011
Jetstar check-in staff will refuse to charge excess baggage for travellers this Friday in the first industrial action ever taken against the airline.
The Australian Services Union, representing frontline customer service staff at Jetstar, has labeled the day of action ‘No Weigh Day’.
Airports affected are Sydney, Melbourne, Avalon, Cairns, Brisbane and Gold Coast.
ASU Assistant National Secretary, Linda White said workers at the airline had been negotiating a new workplace agreement in good faith with Jetstar management for over a year.
“The decision to take industrial action was a last resort but management has left their workers with no other option.
Ms White said that members were willing to consider any reasonable offer that Jetstar management put forward but were still waiting.
“They are not interested in listening to workers’ reasonable requests for a fair pay rise. Rather, they are looking to push wages and conditions in the industry to new depths. Our members just want Jetstar to value their work.
“This Friday ASU members will send a message that it is time for management to start seriously negotiating with their workers and valuing their work.
“We are happy to say that this will have no negative impact on passengers, in fact it will be a bonus.”
Jetstar currently charge passengers for excess baggage and a flat $80 fee to passengers that exceed the weight limit for carry on baggage only fares. The action is expected to cost Jetstar around $50,000 it would normally raise from passengers in baggage fees across the airports.
Jetstar is one of the Qantas Group’s most profitable subsidiaries increasing its profits every year since it started flying.
ASU members will not charge any excess baggage fees from 3:30am Friday 14 October until 3:30am Saturday 15 October.
Further information about the No Weigh Day action can be found in the latest bulletin here: No weigh Jetstar. It’s time for action!