eBay deliveries disrupted by Qantas strike
The auction website emailed local customers that have recently placed an order using the website, warning that deliveries could take longer than usual because of the strike action last Friday.“Due to the recent strike action taken by transport workers in Australia, it may cause delays in delivery for the packages going to Australia over coming days,” the site said.
“In most cases, your order will arrive within 12 to 24 business days after ship date. But some packages will take longer due to the transport interruption.
“Thank you for your understanding and we appreciate your patience.”
Last Friday at 8am, Qantas baggage handlers, presentation and catering staff walked off the job for an hour, striking against a breakdown in negotiations over the conditions of an enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA).
During the strike, Qantas members were updated on the progress of negotiations between the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and the airline over the EBA, which was introduced under the WorkChoices legislation and expired six months ago.
The union members voted to take further industrial action in the future, including possible 24-hour strikes, as the TWU continues to push for pay rises and job security over the use of contractors.
Qantas reportedly said that although it is willing to negotiate with the unions, changing the EBA would reduce its flexibility and ability to compete. It considered the TWU’s claim for a 15 per cent pay increase to be unsustainable in the current economic climate.
