Travellers at Australia’s international airports can expect major delays on Monday because of industrial action.

Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) members working for the immigration department will walk off the job for four hours during morning and evening shifts to protest the Abbott government’s attempt to cut their pay and conditions.

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CPSU national secretary Nadine Flood said passengers should arrive early and be prepared for delays.

“We’re expecting the major the major impact of delays to be in the busy morning peak,” Ms Flood said.

“That’s unfortunate but these workers feel they have no choice after a more than a year of attacks on their rights and pay.

“Of course the target here is not the community, it is the Government.”

Workers could lose up to $8000 each in allowances, which compensate for long hours, unusual shifts, dangerous work and weeks spent away from family, the union said.

Workers from the Agriculture Department’s quarantine section will also participate in industrial action along with the Australian Border Force marine unit which will undertake port bans on loading and unloading stores.

The union says workers in national security, counter-terrorism and specialist biosecurity hazard role won’t participate in the action.