Ground handlers warn of threat to summer flights

A group representing ground handling companies has warned a decision to exclude contract workers from a $750 weekly aviation COVID payment could see hundreds of flights grounded this summer. The Australian Aviation Ground Handling Industry Alliance claims thousands of workers are poised to leave the industry because they are ineligible for the $750 a week payment offered to some airline staff. The alliance represents contractors such as Swissport, dnata and Menzies Aviation that employ workers such as aircraft cleaners, baggage handlers, security staff and caterers. READ: Auckland airport to merge international and domestic terminals. Its members also perform aircraft handling tasks such as pre-take-off safety inspections and pushbacks. The federal government scheme allows airlines to receive payments of $750 a week for half of their frontline staff if they can show a 30 percent downturn in their business as a result of the current spate of COVID lockdowns. The relief package allows airline workers outside COVID hotspots to receive the same level of support as those who live in COVID-affected areas. But outsourced workers providing ground handling work at many airports, particularly those in regional areas, are not covered. This has prompted the ground handling companies to warn of a shortage of skilled staff as flights hopefully resume over summer. “Our 9,800 specialist ground handlers are being denied the same financial support from the government for doing the same work, at the same airport for the same airline as inhouse employees,” alliance chair Glenn Rutherford said. “If that protection is not extended to all aviation ground operations personnel, it will inevitably mean a large proportion of our workforce will pursue other more financially secure work in the weeks ahead, after almost 18 months of diminished or no work. “It will then take at least six months to recruit more workers when state borders reopen, train them up to government standards and have them accredited by the government. “That means we are likely to see many flights grounded in November, December, January and February owing to a nationwide shortage of professional aviation ground operations staff.” The call was echoed by the Transport Workers' Union, with national secretary Michael Kaine also warning of a potential loss of skills and accusing the government of picking which workers to support. "If you’re a worker at a ground handler in Perth, Darwin or Adelaide and have been stood down because flights have been grounded in Sydney you are being told to fend for yourself. There’s nothing here for you,'' Kaine said. "But if you work for Qantas you’ll get a wage subsidy. "This isn’t only unfair it also has the potential of hampering the ability of flights to get off the ground when lockdowns lift – because there won’t be anyone to do the baggage, catering or cleaning." Qantas announced earlier this month that it was standing down 2500 workers because of the significant fall in flying due to COVID restrictions and recent reports have suggested Virgin Australia will take a similar tack.