SYDNEY, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- International travelers have been warned to expect disruptions at Australia's major airports as ground workers strike.

According to Australia's 9News network, more than 1,000 ground workers employed by aviation services company Dnata at Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane airports on Friday staged four-hour work stoppages amid an ongoing pay dispute.

Qantas, Australia's flag carrier, has said its domestic services will not be affected but that it has put contingencies in place for international flights from Sydney.

Up to 20 major international carriers contract Dnata for ground handling for international operations in Australia.

Michael Kaine, national secretary of the Transport Workers Union, said that the industrial action was a last resort after over one year of negotiations on the pay deal.

"There will be disruptions today. That's the nature of industrial action. There'll be disruptions at Sydney Airport, at Melbourne Airport, at Brisbane Airport, and there'll be flight delays," he told 9News network.

Sydney Airport said it was ready to support airlines to mitigate the impact of the strike on their operations and encouraged travelers to stay alert for messages from their airlines. ■