Talks to avert school holidays airport security strike

Tuesday 5th July 2016

Unions representing staff who screen passengers at New Zealand's main domestic airports have agreed to further talks with the Aviation Security Service but a strike notice is to remain in force.

Members of the Public Service Association and E tu are to take part in three strikes each lasting three hours at Auckland and Wellington airports, while a ban on overtime and extra hours will take place at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The two unions say they have been unable to reach a new collective agreement and the most recent proposals would mean some staff wouldn't have had a pay rise in three years.

The first strike is scheduled July 22, a date that falls during the school holidays, leading to fears about delays. Prime Minister John Key has indicated that the government is considering its options on how to handle the dispute, with Cabinet briefed on Monday. He said that everything would be done to minimise the disruption to passengers.

The Ministry of Business, Employment and Innovation has proposed the talks under the terms of the Employment Relations Act on July 15, a week before the first strike is scheduled to take place.

PSA National Secretary Glenn Barclay said: "We’re hopeful the Aviation Security Service will be able to bring an offer to the table which will resolve this stalemate."

The security service has yet to respond to a request for comment on the talks.

If the strike goes ahead, it would be the first time airport security staff have gone on strike for three decades.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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