Budget airline Jetstar should return to the negotiating table in a bid to avoid further strike action by workers demanding a "minuscule" extra 90 cents an hour, a union boss says.
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Baggage handlers and ramp workers are set to walk off the job again on Thursday as a bitter dispute over pay and safety concerns drags on.
Transport Workers' Union national secretary Michael Kaine accused the company of shutting down negotiations in late November and ignoring workers' communications since.
"We are appealing again today. Jetstar needs to come to the table," Mr Kaine told reporters at Sydney Airport on Wednesday.
"It's Jetstar that is putting the Australian public out here, not the workers."
The union wants more rest breaks, a guaranteed 12-hour break between shifts, guaranteed 30 hours a week and annual wage increases of four per cent.
Mr Kaine said the pay rise amounted to less than an extra dollar an hour and was "minuscule" when compared to Jetstar's profits.
The airline says it's offering staff a three per cent pay rise.
The company said it will meet only if the union "provides clear evidence they are prepared to discuss a deal that fits within our wages policy".
"We won't be swayed by TWU's stand-over tactics and have strong contingencies in place to protect customers' travel," a spokeswoman said in a statement on Wednesday.
Jetstar said it had already contacted affected customers to offer alternative flights, a refund or a change to their travel date.
Earlier this week the company said cutting its January flight schedules by about 10 per cent will reduce disruption to passengers who will be able to reschedule flights or get refunds.
Mr Kaine said the union has a "litany" of information about workers who have back pain, crushed knees and shoulder injuries due to the "sheer intensity of the work".
"These workers are asking for nothing more than a safe work environment and a modest claim to meet the needs of their families," he said.
In addition to the TWU strike the Australian Federation of Air Pilots began industrial action on Friday and continued over the weekend.
Jetstar says the industrial action into January combined with the December action is costing the company about $20 million to $25 million.
Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack appeared to back the union's call for negotiations to resume.
"It would be good if they could come around the table and reach a good resolution so that people can get on with their travel plans across the Christmas-New Year period," he told Sky News.
Australian Associated Press
