Up to 50 critical aviation security workers at Sydney Airport will strike from 10pm-1am today until Thursday, following two 2-hour stoppages on Thursday from security screeners.
These Work Safety Officers, responsible for closing off the tarmac and airfield, and escorting contractors and emergency vehicles in the lead-up to Sydney Airport’s curfew, are calling for the airport to intervene after years of job insecurity, rock-bottom pay and cost-cutting to critical passenger safety services.
The strike follows an overwhelming 99% yes vote to take legally protected industrial action by workers.
The TWU is calling on Sydney Airport, which contracts Certis, to step up and fund decent wages and reliable jobs to those who provide crucial safety services to the largest and busiest airport in the country, including more full-time jobs, fair pay, and job security.
Despite their critical safety roles, airport security workers have faced years of uncertainty, with Sydney Airport’s threats to end contracts draining experience and leading to job insecurity, poor pay, and dangerously low standards for workers and passengers.
In 2024-25, Sydney Airport reported its highest ever aeronautical profit of $584.3 million.
TWU NSW State Secretary Richard Olsen said:
“Last week saw security screeners bravely standing up and taking action against their wages and conditions being smashed by the country’s most profitable airport. Now critical security staff responsible for functions leading up to Sydney Airport’s curfew are also saying enough is enough.
“Many of these workers are languishing on insecure part-time hours and poor pay, unable to secure a mortgage or even plan their roles around ever-changing rosters. With such safety-critical roles this is unacceptable at the busiest airport in Australia.
“Certis needs to step up and provide job security for its security workers, but the buck doesn’t stop with them. Sydney Airport which contracts this company, and rakes in huge profits, needs to step up to and ensure the people keeping passengers safe have secure, decent jobs.”
