AMWU maintenance workers at Australia’s busiest airport could take industrial action next week as they fight to achieve equity with their colleagues interstate.

The workers, who install and maintain baggage handling conveyor belts and other facilities at Sydney’s Mascot airport, have been in negotiations with their employer BCS Group for the past 12 months.

AMWU NSW Secretary Tim Ayres said they had now exhausted all negotiation options and would be forced to enter industrial action next week.

“Our members want the same pay as their colleagues in Melbourne. It’s a simple proposition; equal pay for equal work, yet their management continue to ignore it.

“BCS argue that the cost of living in Melbourne is significantly higher than Sydney. Therefore pay rates should reflect that. We just cannot understand or accept that.”

Workers are paid an annualised pay rate that includes weekend work and public holiday, they do not receive penalty rates for weekend or public holidays.

“AMWU tradespeople at Sydney Airport carry out important maintenance work that keeps Australia’s busiest airport running 365 days a year. It’s only fair that they are paid the same amount as workers in other airports. Instead they receive significantly less.

“To achieve that parity we’ve put forward a proposal for the next 3 years. We’d like BCS to consider this one final time, alternatively protected industrial action will begin next Monday morning.”

The union will meet with BCS management this Friday.