Baggage Handlers Reject Qantas Offer, Friday Strike to Affect 66 Domestic Flights

More travel woes are in store for over 10,000 domestic Qantas passengers with another round of strike scheduled on Friday following the rejection by the Transport Workers Union (TWU) of an offer from Qantas.

The offer was a pay hike similar to salary increases given to cabin crew and airport check-in staff as well as an assurance that Qantas will not outsource the services provided by TWU members. What TWU objected to was an alleged statement from Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce that new hires will be paid 20 per cent lower than current workers.

The one-hour work stoppage, which the union will use to hold meetings at different Australian airports, will affect 66 domestic flights. Qantas employees who will participate in the industrial action are the baggage handlers, ground crew and catering staff who belong to TWU.

The strike signals the resumption of hostilities between the TWU and Qantas after a temporary ceasefire resulted in the cancellation of a strike scheduled on Tuesday and Wednesday. TWU National Secretary Tony Sheldon warned of more strikes in the coming days.

Qantas said it is preparing a new schedule for domestic flights on Friday and will contact passengers whose flights would face at least 70 minutes delays because of the industrial action.

"We have made the union our best offer but they are refusing to agree to it.... We have made it clear that industrial action will not have any bearing on the outcome of negotiations," Qantas group executive operations officer Lyell Strambi said in a statement.

"I expect that there will be an increasing expansion of industrial action (after Friday's meetings) because there is no other alternative that the company has left us with," Mr Sheldon said.

Also scheduled for Friday is a meeting between Qantas and the Australian and International Pilots Association before Fair Work Australia.

Following the latest bog down on Qantas dealings with several labor unions, Virgin Australia said on Wednesday that it will continue to provide more seats to accommodate Qantas passengers affected by the industrial actions.