FED: Airlines may cancel flights if controllers strike - Truss

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2009
FED: Airlines may cancel flights if controllers strike - Truss

By Peter Veness

CANBERRA, Feb 11 AAP - Air traffic controllers have moved a step closer to strikes,
with the results of a ballot on industrial action to be known on Thursday.

Industrial action has been looming for months, although Airservices Australia, which
employs the controllers, claims workers have been coordinating mass sick days in a series
of unofficial strikes.

The controller's union, Civil Air, called off Christmas industrial action, but was
almost certain members have voted to go on strike in the coming weeks.

Strikes could start as soon as February 24.

While Transport Minister Anthony Albanese would not talk about the possibility of airports
grinding to a halt nationwide, opposition transport spokesman Warren Truss warned of coming
chaos.

"Airlines have privately indicated that they are likely to cancel services rather than
allow planes to fly in airspace which may or may not be monitored by air traffic controllers,"

Mr Truss said.

He said much of the union's demands seemed excessive, but also called on the government
to show what plans it had to counter strike action.

"A full industrial war at our airports is simply not needed at any time, but right
now it is lunacy.

"Our nation can ill-afford to have its response to the economic downturn hindered by
the wage demands of a handful."

Sticking points in the negotiations between Airservices Australia and Civil Air have
centred around a massive pay rise and retaining unlimited sick leave.

The union argues unlimited sick leave is necessary in an industry where sick workers
could potentially put lives at risk.

Counting of the ballot, to be overseen by the Australian Electoral Commission, will
start on Thursday morning and a result will likely be known in the afternoon.

AAP pv/kms/goc/

KEYWORD: AIRSERVICES

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