Aviation workers are set to protest at major airports around the nation over proposed changes to pay and working conditions which they say risk safety and security.
The industrial action is not expected to delay flights or hold up passengers as airport staff - including baggage handlers, caterers, cleaners and check-in staff - protest against changes to workers' employment agreements.
The Federal Court will on Friday hear a case brought by airport services company Aerocare, which could result in a reinterpretation of clauses in the Airline Operations Ground Staff Award relating to split shifts and continuous hours of work.
Airport employees on split shifts can be forced to stay at work for 15 hours or more and be paid for as little as six hours, the Transport Workers Union said in a statement.
"The case will have implications for all aviation employees and workers in other industries, including nurses, aged care workers, electricians and shop workers," the Transport Workers Union said.
The legal action, launched by Aerocare, follows claims in 2017 that some staff at Sydney Airport were forced to sleep in makeshift "camps" in baggage handling areas in between shifts.
Aerocare later said an investigation by the company, the Australian Border Force and officials from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth airports found the claims were without foundation.
In a statement on Friday, Aerocare said split shifts were "legal and common in the aviation industry as with other sectors of busing, trucking and hospitality".
"[Split shifts] have been approved repeatedly by both the Fair Work Commission and the TWU themselves," the statement read.
"Aerocare offers only voluntary split shifts. They are entirely at the discretion of the individual worker, allowing them the option of picking up additional hours later that same day rather than being given to another employee."
The company provides passenger and airport on-the-ground services, including baggage handling and aircraft cleaning.
Protests will be held at the following times and locations
- Sydney Airport - 12pm international terminal
- Melbourne Airport - 1pm - Qantas domestic terminal
- Brisbane Airport - 10am - domestic terminal carpark walkway
- Adelaide Airport - 10.30am - main entrance to terminal
