Air traffic controllers could strike for first time in 20 years causing ... trends now

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Air traffic controllers are threatening to walk off the job for the first time in over two decades over claims they are drastically understaffed and overworked. 

Union Civil Air is planning to make an application for protected industrial action with the Fair Work Commission after Easter - setting the scene for the first strike since 2002 which could see school holiday travel thrown into chaos. 

Executive secretary Peter McGuane said too much was being asked of air traffic controllers with staff shortages exacerbated by the introduction of extra projects. 

Mr McGuane said projects such as a digitised system to control traffic in and out of Western Sydney were putting strain on the already overworked staff.

'They're saying "If you want these conditions you're going to have to trade off something else to fund it",' he told the Daily Telegraph.

'We don't accept that position, and that's why it's our intention to explore the processes before Fair Work.

Mr McGuane said the course of action had been decided after 14 meetings with Airservices failed to address the needs of fed-up traffic controllers. 

'Airservices was clearly warned on multiple occasions about the white-hot anger and despair that exists among employees due to the torrid workplace environment, and the appetite to pursue further action if claims were not met,' he said. 

'They chose to ignore these warnings.'