Hundreds of Qantas engineers kick off fortnight of strikes [Video]

Up to 1100 Qantas engineers will down tools today in Melbourne as two weeks of strike action begins.

The industrial action will kick off in the Victorian capital but there are plans for it to go nationwide, at all major airports.

The Qantas Engineers’ Alliance said the strike “is highly likely” to affect flights in all major capitals, however a Qantas spokesperson said the airline had put contingency plans in place.

“We don’t currently expect this industrial action to have an impact on customers,” the Qantas spokesperson said.

“We’ve held a series of meetings with the unions and made progress on a number of items.

“We want to reach an agreement that includes pay rises and lifestyle benefits for our people.”

Up to 1100 staff will be involved in the action from three unions including the Australian …