Airport workers protest across Australia over ‘alarming’ workplace safety conditions
Airport workers are protesting across the country following a series of security compliance “raids” that uncovered alleged workplace safety violations centered around a baggage handling contractor.
The Transport Workers Union staged protests at airports in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth on Monday to highlight the “worrying history of safety issues” experienced by workers contracting with Swissport’s ground handling company.
Protests take place at airports across the country as airport workers speak out against poor management practices
During a series of “safety strikes” in early March, “damaged ground equipment, unsafe staffing levels, heat-related injuries and psychosocial hazards from intrusive worker supervision” were identified as major problems in day-to-day Swissport operations.
The union also alleged that Swissport had “denied entry for legally sanctioned security inspections” at Perth Airport.
TWU NSW secretary Richard Olsen said workers were experiencing “very poor safety conditions”.
“Over a month, over 400 different reports were submitted by workers at this company,” Mr. Olsen said.
“Our employees cannot be trained because they are too busy trying to manage the workload Qantas gives them… leading to unsafe working conditions on the tarmac,” he said.
“In the heat of the day, it is not uncommon to see temperatures on the asphalt reach 50 degrees. It is a very dangerous location to place workers and they need protection.”
Union member Mustapha Bayad said some restrictions were relaxed for convenience and unskilled workforce members were given dangerous and complex tasks.
“It used to be that when you came to the airport… you had to have a truck license before you came and did your training because you were pulling very heavy tonnage. Nowadays you don’t need a special license. You walk in and you’re on your P plates and you’re pulling 20 or 30 tons,” he said.
“This is how these things happen. Lack of training, lack of supervision,” he said.
“Swissport has made our job a lot more difficult since they arrived.”
Swissport, which Qantas contracts with at airports across Australia, attracted media attention in August 2025 when it was suggested it begin surveilling workers by installing cameras and audio detection equipment on baggage handlers.
Despite intense opposition from unions, Swissport is now using the technology, which can capture conversations between employees sitting and standing next to their vehicles in Sydney and Melbourne.
