Record Jetstar profits fuel pay fight over 'rock bottom' wages

Jetstar is reporting record profits—$492 million in underlying earnings for the six months to December, up 12%—while airport and ground workers say their pay is falling behind. The Australian Services Union says around 900 Jetstar airport operations workers are effectively paid at award rates after the Fair Work Commission’s annual wage increase overtook their expired enterprise agreement. Jetstar says negotiations with the ASU are ongoing and that any outcome will include pay increases while keeping “low fares.” The dispute covers 929 workers, who typically earn $29.45 per hour, and follows Jetstar’s move to charge passengers up to $52 per flight for access to overhead lockers.