Immigration Staff Again on Strike at Australian Airports

Immigration and border force workers went on strike at Australian airports on Monday, creating chaos for thousands of international travelers and airlines.

A dispute over pay and conditions between staff and the federal government has stretched back more than a year, but has now become more serious.

The staff union has hit at the peak school holidays period, and for the next 10 days, staff will stop work for two hours during the morning and evening peaks at eight Australian airports.

The union is angered that the government has refused to meet to discuss their differing issues in the past year.

Staff have held regular stoppages but none as concentrated as Monday's actions.

National Secretary Nadine Flood of the Community and Public Sector Union said the planned government cuts they are angered will leave some workers 8,000 Australian dollars or more a year worse off.

"These are mums and dads worried about paying their mortgage and paying their bills," Flood said.

"These workers face a big cut to pay and big cut to their rights."

Travelers are being advised to arrive at the airports earlier than the recommended two hours before departures.