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Planned strike to disrupt Australian airports

Xinhua, September 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

Australian trade unions are planning another nationwide strike on Friday which could possibly cause airport delays for those wishing to fly abroad.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) said in a statement on Wednesday that some of its staff plan to go on strike on Friday due to a revised pay offer that has yet to be approved.

The strike will only include some employees who are members of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) who will be taking part in the work stoppage, the statement said.

The stoppage will commence at 8:30 a.m. local time (2230 GMT Thursday) and conclude at 11:30 a.m. local time (0130 GMT) in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia and Northern Territory, the ABF said.

However, the stoppage in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) will only start at 11:30 a.m. local time (0130 GMT) and conclude 2:30 p.m. local time (0430 GMT), it said.

The strike is set to take place at international airports, seaports, container examination facilities, client services, visa processing sections and international mail facilities.

Assistant Commissioner Clive Murray, from the ABF's Strategic Border Command, said the department is making arrangements to minimize the strike's impact on business, the travelling public, cargo and mail operations as much as it can.

"The department has appropriate contingencies in place for immigration and customs processes, however, if you are going overseas on the day we advise you to arrive at the airport early," Murray said.

SmartGate technology will be available at all eight major international airports and fully trained staff will be on hand to ensure all airport functions are running as efficiently as possible.

The department urged travellers to visit its website, Facebook and Twitter accounts for regular updates on Friday's strike. Endit