Airport strikes off after Brussels attacks

The public sector union has halted their Easter weekend airport strikes for the time being, following a plea from the prime minister.

International airport in Sydney.

Tourists at the international airport in Sydney. Source: AAP

Airport and border force officials have cancelled Easter strikes following the Brussels terrorist bombings.

The move was triggered by a plea from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for workers to return to airports amid newly-heightened security tensions.

The Islamic State bomb attacks in Belgium overnight targeted Brussels' airport and metro system, killing 34 people.

"We strongly encourage them to rethink their call for industrial action and stay at work and pursue their complaints, their disagreements with the government through other means," Mr Turnbull told Seven Network on Wednesday.
In response, the Community and Public Sector Union agreed to suspend all immediate protests, including the major 24-hour stoppage planned for Thursday at every airport around Australia.

"We have agreed to Mr Turnbull's request to postpone these strikes in good faith and are conscious of the understandable concerns of travellers in the wake of the Brussels attacks," Community and Public Sector Union national secretary Nadine Flood said.

"Our members would never take industrial action that compromises Australia's national security at this time or any time."

The strikes are the latest step in the public sector union's two-year battle with the government to retain pay and work conditions for Commonwealth workers.

While the CPSU has suspended all immediate Easter strikes it says it hasn't decided on future action, with industrial action at domestic and international airports planned up until April 4.

Ms Flood called for the government to come back to the table on negotiating talks and offer workers an avenue "other than strike action".

"We will consider whether to undertake further industrial action next week and in coming weeks in light of the department and government's response," she said.

Medicare and Centrelink employees took part in strikes on Monday, while border force workers walked off the job at several airports on Tuesday.


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Source: AAP



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