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Extra staff deployed to overcome delays on planned strikes at Aussie airports

Xinhua, September 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

he Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection will roll out extra manpower at the Sydney international airport to overcome a shortage of staff who will be participating in a series of planned strikes for the next weeks.

A spokesperson from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection told the Australian Associated Press on Monday that fully-trained staff have been brought in from other parts of the department to fill in the void during the strikes which will take place from Sept 26 till Oct 9.

"We are making sure there are no gaps (on the roster)," she said.

Despite the extra rostering, delays are expected over the next fortnight and the department has urged travellers to arrive early.

"While we are working closely with stakeholders to minimise the impact on the travelling public and on cargo and mail operations, and are ensuring appropriate measures are in place for visa and citizenship services, we strongly encourage passengers departing on international flights get to the airport early and those arriving should expect some delays," the department said in a statement.

There had been no reports of delays at Sydney's international airport on Monday morning.

Australia's Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) in a statement said the work stoppages would run in 30 minute blocks and that strikes may occur at any airport, cruise ship terminal or cargo facility at any time during the day or night.

CPSU said the strikes were in regards to a long standing dispute over employment conditions as staff have been fighting for three years to stop the removal of certain conditions, some involving dangerous or specialized work.

CPSU National Secretary Nadine Flood said that taking this level of protected industrial action was necessary because it was the only way workers had to force the Australian government and the Immigration department to find a real solution, not just keep proposing stripping away workers' rights, conditions and pay.

"Our overwhelming preference remains to sit down and find a fair and sensible resolution but the Turnbull government has shown it is unwilling to do so," she said. Enditem