Engineers launch snap industrial action amid pay dispute [Video]

Hundreds of Qantas engineers have started a 24-hour strike in a bid to force management to negotiate their pay demands, as the airline said it did not expect the action to affect customers.

More than 300 engineers held rallies outside the international terminals at Melbourne’s Tullamarine and Brisbane airports on Wednesday morning.

Engine components maintenance engineers in Melbourne began strike action at 9am after heavy maintenance engineers in Brisbane downed tools at 1.30am.

The Qantas Engineer’s Alliance [QEA] – made up of three unions – said the airline’s management had refused to return to the bargaining table and increase its previous offer.

Qantas stated it does not expect the action to affect travellers.

“Our teams have worked hard to put contingencies in place,” a spokesperson said.

“There’s been some industrial action by engineers since late September and …