Delays expected as immigration airport workers strike

Delays at Australian international airports will begin today and could last for up to a week as immigration and border protection employees strike to protest pay and working conditions.

The strikes are expected to last for at least 10 days, and started at 4am in Cairns.

They are also scheduled for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin and the Gold Coast.

The Community and Public Sector Union says border staff are furious over a pay proposal that effectively cuts current wages and leaves some workers $8000 a year worse off.

The union says the government is planning to fly hundreds of managers from interstate to act as "strike breakers" at airports.

"They're turning heavy-handed tactics on their own workforce, when sitting down and resolving this 18-month dispute would be a better option," union secretary Nadine Flood said on Sunday.

A department spokeswoman said staff were routinely deployed in different areas to meet operational requirements.

"The Department has in place contingency arrangements to protect Australia's borders and minimise impacts on the public and industry," she said.

Border staff are voting on a proposed enterprise agreement, with the ballot closing today.

AIRPORT STOPPAGES TODAY

Sydney (7am-9am and 7pm-9pm)

Melbourne Tullamarine (5am-7am and 9pm-11pm)

Brisbane (7am-9am and 7pm-9pm)

Gold Coast (6.40am-8.40am and 7pm-9pm)

Cairns (4am-6am and 6pm-8pm)

Adelaide (6.30am-8.30am and 8pm-10pm)

Perth (5.30am-7.30am and 5pm-7pm)

Darwin (4.30am-6.30am and 5pm-7pm)