Air NZ Engineers to Strike, Thousands of Passengers Could be Affected
Air New Zealand engineers are planning to go on strike just four days ahead of Christmas in a move which could bring huge disruptions to travellers’ holiday plans. The airline’s engineers are planning to strike on December 21, the busiest day of the year for travel.
Close to 42,000 customers are booked to travel domestically and internationally on that day. The Aviation and Marine Engineers Association (AMEA) and
unions, notified the airline on Thursday of a total strike by almost a thousand unionised employees. The unions have also advised Air New Zealand to expect further industrial action. “Close to 42,000 customers booked to travel domestically and internationally on 21 December alone now face potential flight cancellations,” Air New Zealand said in a statement.
“The average income of the maintenance engineers, logistics and other staff to strike is NZ$115,000 (FJ$242,999.23) - more than double the average wage in New Zealand and around 170 of them earn more than NZ$150,000 (FJ$316,905.54). “While the group has received pay increases annually for the past 12 years, it has so far rejected recent proposals by the airline including an immediate 2 per cent pay increase followed by a further 3 percent increase after 12 months, with a further pay review in mid2021.” Air New Zealand general manager of aircraft maintenance Viv de Beus said the news was “extremely disappointing.”
“We know how important summer holidays are for our customers who look forward to being able to gather with friends and family at this important time of year,” she said.
“It would be devastating to see the holiday plans of more than 40,000 hardworking Kiwis and international visitors ruined. “We have only been in negotiations with this group for six weeks so industrial action is entirely premature. “We remain committed to working closely with the engineers’ unions to reach a reasonable agreement and avoid strike action if at all possible.”
Air New Zealand said it will remain in contact with customers booked to travel on December 21. E tu said in a statement they were disappointed with the “misleading” information Air Zealand had released regarding the strike. “No one wants to disrupt people’s Christmas plans, but Air New Zealand has taken an unnecessarily aggressive approach.
“This is not just about pay. This is about repeated proposals by the airline weeks out from Christmas to pay them less than colleagues who have already settled, and to cut into key conditions, including overtime rates.
“This affects line and hangar engineers, but also store workers and aircraft cleaners, who are covered by the same document and who are struggling to get ahead.
“Our members feel under-appreciated and under attack. The ballot results show an overwhelming resolve to take action to defend themselves.
said taking strike action was extremely rare for Air New Zealand union members.