Air traffic controllers could strike for first time in 20 years causing widespread travel chaos

Air traffic controllers are at risk of leaving their jobs for the first time in more than two decades, claiming they are drastically understaffed and overworked.

Union Civil Air plans to apply for protected industrial action to the Fair Work Commission after Easter, which would set the stage for its first strike since 2002, which could throw travel into chaos during the school holidays.

Chief executive Peter McGuane said too much was being asked of air traffic controllers, with staff shortages being exacerbated by the introduction of additional projects.

Mr McGuane said projects such as a digitalised system to monitor traffic in and out of Western Sydney were putting pressure on already overworked staff.

“They say, ‘If you want these terms, you’re going to have to trade something else to finance it,'” he told the Daily telegram.

‘We do not accept that position and it is therefore our intention to investigate the processes leading up to Fair Work.

Mr McGuane said the course of action was decided after 14 meetings with Airservices failed to meet the needs of fed-up air traffic controllers.

“Airservices has been clearly warned on several occasions of the seething anger and despair among employees as a result of the torrid working environment, and the willingness to take further action if the claims are not met,” he said.

“They chose to ignore these warnings.”

In a note to members, Civil Air explained that fourteen meetings with Airservices have taken place since November 2023.

“It is clear that despite fourteen meetings, Airservices is not interested in actually considering our claims as serious matters proposed by our members, and still believe they are within scope,” the report said.

An Airservices spokeswoman said negotiations were continuing and they still believed a new enterprise agreement could be reached without the need for industrial action.

She said Airservices is offering a $75 million pay increase to its more than 900 air traffic controllers, which amounts to 11.2 percent over three years and is in line with the Australian Public Service Commission’s recent pay decision.

“Civil Air is targeting a 20 percent increase over three years,” she said.

The spokesperson also said staff shortages are being addressed with 70 new air traffic controllers due to start this year and plans to recruit a further 80.

If air traffic controllers walk off the job, it will be the first strike since 2002, with the previous strike taking place in 1977.

A recent Senate estimate heard that the absence of just two air traffic controllers at Sydney Airport was causing flight delays across the country (stock image)

A recent one Senate According to estimates, only two air traffic controllers were present Sydney was enough to cause widespread flight delays.

There are 20 of the 28 claims still in dispute with employer Airservices Australia, including a demand to increase superannuation contributions from the 11 percent received by staff to the maximum of 15.4 percent allowed by the public service rules.

The threatened industrial action could spell double trouble for airports as aviation firefighters also prepare for an attack.

Aviation firefighters will take industrial action from April 5, potentially disrupting school holiday flights.

They are also seeking a 20 percent pay increase over three years, after rejecting Airservices’ offer of an 11.2 percent pay increase.