DIBP Strikes 22-31 March (including 24 hour stoppage Mar 24)

[bcworld]

Hi All,

DIBP staff will likely be striking in airports throughout this week...culminating in a 24 hour stoppage on Thursday just as the Easter holiday exodus is getting under way. (Apologies if there's another thread about this...I had a hunt around but didn't see anything).

Travellers - interruption to airport services starting from 22 March 2016

I'm flying out on Thursday night from MEL (well, just after midnight Friday) on TG who are advising pax to ensure they arrive 3 hours before departure.

This isn't the first time these strikes have taken place...I wondered if anyone had any experience if fast track (I'm in J) typically operates during these actions? I realise it may ultimately come down to how many staff take part on the day but any previous experiences are welcome.

Thanks!

 

[ogs70]

Also interested in this question, flying out Thursday evening from Sydney. Hopefully won't be a nightmare..

 

[defurax]

I'm flying out of SYD on the 24th, I currently have a 3 hour transit time in SYD coming in from MEL. I might try to get on the 6AM MEL-SYD...I'm booked in "B" class so hopefully won't be a problem to get onto an earlier flight.

 

[serfty]

It's after 9pm Wednesday when it starts ...

 

[njba]

Boy, what fun!

For those that have experienced similar strikes before, is it normally chaos at the airports?

 

[juddles]

...DIBP staff...

What is DIBP?

 

[ogs70]

What is DIBP?

Dept of Immigration and Border Protection

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Interestingly QF didn't allow me to change my domestic to international 2 hour connection on Friday to an earlier domestic flight as there isn't a "published commercial policy" yet. I will be heading to domestic at least an hour earlier than planned!

 

[homemade]

Also interested in this question, flying out Thursday evening from Sydney. Hopefully won't be a nightmare..

ditto. I've got a flight out of melbourne on SQ. There would never be a better time for fast track to work!

 

[kamchatsky]

Is it just for International flights only? I have a domestic flight on 25 April (SYD-ADL), and international flight on 28 April (ADL-HKG) ......

 

[Virgin Bart]

Fantastic. Flying our 0050 on Thursday morning (Wed night)

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Is it just for International flights only? I have a domestic flight on 25 April (SYD-ADL), and international flight on 28 April (ADL-HKG) ......

There's no immigration or border protection domestically so yes, only international. Rolling strikes still likely on 28th but less likely in ADL than SYD as they like to really screw the bulk of the travelling public.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Are express cards likely to help significantly or at all here?

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Are express cards likely to help significantly or at all here?

Depends if they operate the express lines. There are also the Smart Gates for departures in SYD which may alleviate some of the congestion, but I'd say the real problems will be for arrivals.

 

[Shan Man]

Smart gates are also active in MEL, used them last month!

 

[Flying mermaid]

From what I read in the Canberra Times this morning, these strikes are likely to extend through to mid April.

Given that pay negotiations have been going on for around two years, it is hard to see a quick resolution.

Qantas has info on the strikes as well.

Travel updates | Qantas

 

[defurax]

I just received the following email from Qantas.

"Defurax,

This is a courtesy email to let you know that there may be delays at Immigration and Customs at International Airports across the country from 22 March 2016 to 31 March 2016, due to industrial action being taken by Immigration and Custom employees.


The Department of Immigration and Border Protection has advised that it has put in place contingency measures to avoid disruption; however we encourage you to get to the airport a little earlier in case there are some delays.


A member of our airport team will be available to assist you, so please don’t hesitate to request their support should you require it.


While this is outside of our control, we would like to apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.


Regards,


Qantas"

 

[Hvr]

Industrial action postponed.

Strike action planned at international airports on Thursday has been postponed after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called on the Community and Public Sector union to reconsider its plans.


Union members at the Department of Immigration and Border Protection were set to launch a 24-hour strike at major airports as part of a national campaign designed to break a two-year deadlock on pay and entitlement negotiations.
On Wednesday morning in the wake of the attacks in Brussels, Mr Turnbull "strongly encouraged" union members to rethink the industrial action and urged them "to pursue their complaints, their disagreements with the government through other means".

Read more: CPSU cancels airport strike action after plea from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull
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[Pushka]

CPSU cancels airport strike action after plea from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull