In 2020, during COVID restrictions, airport security guards in Brisbane and Melbourne who were members of our union used car convoy protests to fight back against unfair layoffs by ISS. Their innovative tactics during lockdown, supported by the unions legal muscle, won proper redundancy processes and protected workers from targeted cuts.
When ISS Facility Services tried to ram through over 600 targeted security job cuts at Brisbane and Melbourne Airports during COVID-19. Our union obtained an injunction that prevented ISS from making 350 aviation screening officers redundant, saving 250 jobs and guards who were members of our union got creative with their resistance. They organised “car rallies” that turned airport surrounds into mobile picket lines, with more than 100 vehicles demanding fair treatment.
This innovative protest allowed members to keep pressure on ISS while respecting COVID restrictions. Backed by their union, the guards forced ISS to drop targeted redundancies and implement fair processes. Their quick thinking and solidarity protected long-serving workers from arbitrary job cuts even as aviation ground to a halt.