Union dispute causes delays at Brisbane airport

Delays are expected at Brisbane's domestic airport terminal over the next week as a pay dispute continues between unions and a Qantas contractor.

Electrical Trades Union organiser Garry Rogers says Qantas contractor BCS Infrastructure Support will lock out its workforce at the airport for a week from 6pm (local time) on Sunday.

Mr Rogers says the lockout is the latest development in a bitter dispute that has included strike action.

In a statement on Sunday he said the dispute stemmed from pay inequality, adding that Brisbane workers are paid up to 25 per cent less than their Victorian counterparts.

"These guys do essential work, yet they are paid substandard wages and have to endure an anti-union culture at the workplace," he said.

"BCS seem to think they can ignore Fair Work orders at will.

"Our members and those of the AMWU have endured enough. They want a fair go, a fair deal and a union collective agreement and they won't take a backward step in fighting for it."

Mr Rogers said unions would meet with members on Monday to discuss strike action.

He said the lockout and expected strike action would disrupt check-in and retrieval services at the terminal.

Travellers should expect delays, he added.

-AAP