Airport workers across Australia staged coordinated protests on Monday, March 23, raising concerns over “alarming” workplace safety conditions linked to baggage handling operations.
Demonstrations were held at major airports in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, organised by the Transport Workers Union (TWU). The protests follow a series of safety compliance “blitzes” conducted earlier this month that reportedly uncovered widespread breaches in ground handling operations run by Swissport.
According to the union, inspections revealed multiple hazards affecting workers on a daily basis. These included damaged ground equipment, unsafe staffing levels, heat-related injuries, and what were described as “psychosocial hazards” linked to intrusive surveillance practices.
Union representatives say conditions on airport tarmacs can become extreme, with temperatures reportedly reaching up to 50°C during peak heat—posing serious risks to workers without adequate protections.
Union member Mustapha Bayad said safety standards had deteriorated over time, particularly in training and qualifications.
“Back in the old days… you needed a truck licence before handling heavy towing,” he said. “Now people can be on provisional licences and towing 20 or 30 tonnes.”
TWU officials argue that increasing workloads, particularly from major airline clients such as Qantas, are contributing to unsafe conditions.
TWU New South Wales secretary Richard Olsen said more than 400 safety reports had been filed by workers within a single month.
“Our workers can’t be trained because they’re too busy trying to manage the workload,” Olsen said. “That’s how these incidents happen—a lack of training and a lack of supervision.”
Workers also described a sharp decline in working conditions since Swissport expanded its operations, with some saying the job had become significantly more difficult.
The union further alleged that Swissport had refused entry for legally sanctioned safety inspections at Perth Airport, raising additional concerns about compliance and oversight.
Swissport, which provides ground handling services for several airlines across Australia, has also faced scrutiny over its use of surveillance technology. In August 2025, the company drew criticism for proposing to install cameras and audio monitoring systems in baggage handling vehicles.
Despite opposition from unions, the technology has since been deployed in Sydney and Melbourne. The systems are reportedly capable of recording conversations between workers in and around the vehicles, prompting ongoing concerns about privacy and workplace monitoring.
The TWU says it will continue to push for reforms, arguing that current conditions put workers at unnecessary risk in one of the country’s most critical transport sectors.
