Some 200 customs employees assigned at the Sydney Airport walked out from their jobs today over a wage dispute stopping operations and forcing numerous passengers to miss their flights.

The striking workers joined their colleagues based in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Cairns for a "national day of protest," according to a report from the Australian.

At least 2,000 workers or even more are expected to participate in this nationwide walkout.

The first hour-long wildcat strike took place at 6 AM, the second after 2 hours while the final mass action is scheduled at 7pm.

An official from the Community and Public Sector Union claimed the workers walked off from their jobs unwillingly.

"While the employees are clamoring for a fair treatment, they rather sit in the negotiating table rather than opt for industrial action," the anonymous official exclaimed.

Members of the union have refused a government proposal to increase salaries by 9 percent during the next 3 years saying that this is not sufficient for them to cope with the rising costs of living.

Still, the union is hoping for a positive decision by Customs officials and look forward to more negotiations to resolve the impasse.

The spokesperson warned of a longer stalemate should management refuse to accede to their demands.

Meanwhile, staff belonging to the Departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to include quarantine inspectors assigned in international terminals will also hold stop-work meetings to discuss the issue of wage concessions.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that unions are also poised to hold industrial actions at Qantas this week as the transport workers union said that Qantas management was not keen on negotiating a wages agreement.

Qantas group executive Olivia Wirth said employees demand for a 15 percent wage hike was not reasonable.

She said the strike is scheduled to hit the busy weekend and result into inconvenience for passengers.