Qantas ground workers plan 24-hour strike

• Ground workers at Qantas handling freight and regional flights plan a 24-hour strike next week.
• Industrial action will occur Wednesday in Victoria and Thursday nationwide, potentially disrupting shipments.
• Union leaders state the action addresses pay, working conditions, and safety concerns across operations.

Qantas (ASX:QAN) ground staff handling freight and regional QantasLink flights will take industrial action next week over pay and working conditions.

The Transport Workers Union stated the strike will run for 24 hours on Wednesday in Victoria and Thursday across the rest of Australia.

"Workers do not take this action lightly," said Transport Workers Union National Secretary Michael Kaine.

The planned walkout threatens to cause freight delays, including disruptions to Australia Post shipments.

Following the announcement, the Qantas share price was unchanged at $8.82.

The dispute follows the airline outsourcing more than 1,800 ground handling roles during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A court subsequently ruled that the pandemic layoffs were illegal and ordered Qantas to pay a record fine of $90 million.