It pays to be united

Following a breakdown in negotiations over pay and conditions, Jetstar check-in staff refused to charge excess baggage for travellers from 3:30am on Friday 14 October 2011.

Members of the Australian Services Union took the first ever industrial action against the airline, labelled ‘No Weigh Day’, after management failed to put forward a reasonable offer after over a year of negotiating.

After spending a year in negotiations and being met with nothing but a big stone wall, members said “it’s time that our work was valued”.
Airports affected were Sydney, Melbourne, Avalon, Cairns, Brisbane and Gold Coast.

We are happy to say, there was no negative impact on passengers, in fact it was a bonus, as many saved money.

“Our action did not hurt passengers - there were no cancelled flights or delays - our action hurt Jetstar where it hurts - in the hip pocket,” Julie Griffiths said.

Union members sent the company a message that it was time for management to start seriously negotiating with their workers and valuing their work properly.