Australian skydivers went on strike on Friday over a pay disagreement with the industry’s dominant employer, amid claims experienced instructors will be forced to “pick up a paintbrush” to supplement their income if they give in.

The rolling industrial action against Experience Co across eight sites in NSW, Victoria and Queensland has prompted the adventure tourism company to reschedule parachute jumps at the start of the peak summer season.

The strike, which could spill over into next week, is the first of its kind for skydivers, and follows 10 months of stalled negotiations for an enterprise agreement.

One instructor on strike told Guardian Australia the workforce unionised after enduring years of changing pay structures.

“There are top level guys with 25,000 jumps under their belt

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