A number of unions representing airport and airline workers have joined together to launch the Australian Aviation Unions Federation, which aims to become the major mouthpiece for Australian aviation workers.
The AUF was launched on May 6 by the Transport Workers’ Union, the Flight Attendants Association of Australia (FAAA) and the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA), and together will have a combined membership of over 20,000. The federation will also have coverage over a range of job roles, including flight attendants, ground staff, and engineering and other technical staff.
“From this strategic position of representative strength, our objective in forming this federation is to unite our respective expertise, skills and experience to create a stronger voice for aviation workers and their families,” TWU national secretary Tony Sheldon said.
In launching the AUF, the unions have targeted a number of key initiatives and activities, citing major concerns about the proposal to lower cabin crew ratios, upholding strong standards of safety and security and opposing plans in the government’s Aviation White Paper to open up more ports to foreign carriers. The federation also notes that it intends to push for limiting the use of Australian airports and airspace to only those international carriers who are prepared to provide enforceable undertakings to Australian authorities they comply with best practice Australian safety and security standards.
