The Transport Workers' Union of Australia said that workers in the aviation industry will engage in protests across the country if airlines "refuse to lift standards in their supply chains at companies" like ground handler Swissport, and are calling on airlines and airports to properly fund fair standards in aviation, according to a Tuesday statement.

The union noted alleged safety breaches across Swissport operations, including issues with damaged ground equipment, unsafe staffing levels, heat-based injuries, and psychosocial hazards from intrusive worker surveillance.

The ground handler is also allegedly refusing entry for legally sanctioned safety inspections at the Perth Airport, and some ports are receiving up to 400 safety reports a month at Swissport, per the statement.

The union also alleged that Swissport received the bulk of the "illegally outsourced work" from Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN).

Qantas' shares rose 4% in recent trading on Tuesday.