![Jetstar baggage handlers and ground crew have started rolling strikes across the country. Jetstar baggage handlers and ground crew have started rolling strikes across the country.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/742c4dbb-b5b1-43f7-b8cd-d6dd6dfd99d6.jpg/r0_0_800_600_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Jetstar workers have promised further strike action, claiming the airline has refused to negotiate during a pay and safety dispute.
Workers who walked off the job on Friday have pledged to again next Thursday should their demands not be met.
Baggage handlers and ground staff stopped work on Friday at Sydney Airport, Melbourne's Tullamarine and Avalon airports, and in Brisbane, Cairns and Adelaide.
The industrial action comes after the budget airline rejected workers' demands for pay increases, minimum hours on the job and safety improvements.
Jetstar said the disruption had not badly affected flights on Friday because they'd minimised fallout by cancelling 30 services in advance.
Workers will take further action in one and two-hour chunks throughout the day at the same airports next Thursday.
The Transport Workers Union apologised to travellers for the disruption but said it was the only course of action left.
"Jetstar workers are on forced part-time hours and poverty wages," TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said.
"Twice we have written to Jetstar this week asking them to discuss our demands and have had no response."
The airline said it was only prepared to meet "if the discussion is taking us forward" and fits within the group's three per cent wages policy.
SafeWork NSW slapped Jetstar with an improvement notice on Thursday as crew prepared to walk off the job.
The notice said Jetstar's Sydney staff risked being crushed by aircraft or sucked into plane engines as a consequence of "inadequate safe work procedures".
A separate notice issued to the airline by the NSW industrial safety watchdog last month said "frequent" machinery malfunctions during ground operations put staff at risk.
The union claims Jetstar makes $4 billion in revenue, while workers are forced into insecure low-paid work.
Negotiations broke down after the company rejected demands including for more rest breaks, a guaranteed 12-hour break between shifts and a guaranteed 30 hours a week.
Friday's action will be followed by pilots halting planes for four hours on Saturday and Sunday.
Jetstar plans to cancel 44 services on Saturday and 46 on Sunday.
Industrial action by pilots will continue throughout the week with a range of lower-level bans likely.
The company says customers travelling from December 13 to December 20 can request a full refund prior to flying.
Pay negotiations broke down after nearly a year with Jetstar warning it wasn't prepared to alter its position.
"The union's demands would put significant pressure on the low fares our customers rely on and force us to review our investments," Jetstar Group chief executive Gareth Evans said.
The Australian Federation of Air Pilots said it had not taken its decision to strike lightly and was still committed to reaching an agreement.
Australian Associated Press