The industrial action, organised by the Transport Workers Union (TWU), began at 6am and will run until 10am, with a second strike period scheduled from 5pm to 9pm. The Sydney Airport website warned travellers of possible disruptions and advised them to check with their airline for the latest flight updates.
As of 8am, wait times at security checkpoints remained manageable, with five-minute queues reported at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and a 15-minute wait at Terminal 3. However, the full impact of the stoppage may become clearer during the afternoon shift, which coincides with peak evening travel.
The strikes follow what 7NEWS described as failed "crisis bargaining talks" on Thursday between Certis, the private security contractor that employs the workers, and the TWU. The union is pushing for improved pay, more full-time positions, fairer rostering and better working conditions.
Certis security workers have been in a long-running dispute with the company over job security and staff shortages. The TWU has argued that the use of casual and part-time contracts leaves workers without stable incomes and undermines airport safety by creating high turnover in screening roles.
No further strikes have been announced, but the union has indicated it will continue industrial action unless its demands are met.