Parcel delivery delays expected with thousands of FedEx workers striking

The delivery of thousands of packages is likely to be delayed with workers from FedEx having walked off the job around the country.

The delays are expected after mail delivery has already been slowed across the country for weeks due to impacts caused by COVID-19 and lockdowns.

FedEx workers across Australia began a 24-hour strike at 1am over failed negotiations with the company.

READ MORE: Deliveries delayed with Australia Post inundated during Melbourne lockdown

The strike follows industrial action at a number of delivery companies in recent weeks, including StarTrack employees who stood down from work on Thursday.

FedEx workers had also planned to strike last Thursday but paused the industrial action believing they were close to reaching an agreement with the company.

In a written statement, TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said discussions between the workers and FedEx broke down on Thursday "when FedEx attempted to extend the agreement, swindling workers out of repayment for their restraint during a year of record turnover and stifling growth in the future".

According to the TWU, FedEx refused requests to meet again on Friday, prompting today's strike.

"FedEx workers' good faith has been twisted, exploited and spat back at them. Six other transport operators have settled fair agreements in the last two weeks, but FedEx is determined to keep its foot on workers' necks," Mr Kaine said.

"FedEx is determined to trample all over its workforce trying to achieve job security and parity with their counterparts across the industry.

"Although FedEx raked in record profits above US$5 billion last year, it is going to great lengths to swindle workers out of an agreement which secures their future and allows them to catch up to other major transport operators like Toll and Linfox."

Up to 3000 FedEx workers also walked off the job over the dispute on September 30.