Firefighters walk off airfields when safety training costs land on families, and Auckland Airport is warning that tens of thousands of travellers will face disruptions later this month.
The E tū union issued a strike notice for two 24-hour stoppages affecting the airport’s firefighters and emergency responders. The action is scheduled to begin at 6am on Tuesday 24 November and Friday 27 November.
Auckland Airport chief operations officer Chloe Surridge said the notice covers all 69 members of the Airport Emergency Services team. “With all members of its AES team covered by the strike notice, the notified strike action would leave the airport without the people required to maintain that service,” Auckland Airport chief operations officer Chloe Surridge said.
“If the strike activity goes ahead as notified, flights may need to be cancelled or diverted … causing significant disruption to tens of thousands of travellers as well as the airlines, freight operations, exporters and businesses that rely on the airport,” Surridge said, according to reporting by the NZ Herald.
Workers demand wage adjustments and compensation for Singapore travel
Workers are pressing for wage adjustments that match the rising cost of living and reflect the physical and psychological demands of their jobs.
“We're in a cost of living crisis, and they need to be able to keep pace with those changes to the cost of living, the need to be paid at a kind of rate that's comparable to similar experts, and we don't think the employer's offering enough,” E tū assistant national secretary Mat Danaher said.
The dispute also centers on compulsory overseas travel requirements. Danaher explained that firefighters must make two five-day trips to Singapore each year to meet Civil Aviation Authority standards because the airport’s live-fire training facility closed after years of underinvestment.
“Firefighters are being flown to Singapore to keep their skills up, away from their partners and kids, and the airport won’t properly compensate them for it. That cost is landing on firefighters and their families,” Danaher said. He added that Auckland Airport recorded $309 million in underlying profit last year and paid out $224.9 million in dividends.
Did You Know? The 69-member Airport Emergency Services team provides round-the-clock aviation firefighting, marine response on the Manukau Harbour, technical rescue, and medical care across the airfield.
Airport management prepares for potential passenger and freight delays
Airport management is actively working through contingency options to mitigate passenger and freight delays. Surridge encouraged passengers to check directly with airlines for the most up-to-date information regarding individual flight schedules.
“We are encouraging E tū to continue working with us at the bargaining table so this disruption can be avoided,” Auckland Airport chief operations officer Chloe Surridge said.
Freight operations, exporters, and surrounding businesses relying on the transport hub are also preparing for potential bottlenecks. Both union and airport representatives have expressed a desire to avoid harming travelers, with bargaining continuing ahead of the strike dates.
Questions about Auckland Airport emergency services strikes
When will the Auckland Airport emergency services strikes take place?
The E tū union has scheduled two 24-hour strikes to start at 6am on Tuesday 24 November and Friday 27 November.
How many workers are participating in the planned stoppage?
All 69 members of the Auckland Airport Emergency Services team are covered by the strike notice issued by the union.
Why are the firefighters and emergency responders striking?
Workers are striking over cost-of-living pay rates and a lack of fair compensation for the two mandatory five-day training trips they must take to Singapore annually.
How will your travel plans be affected if the airport emergency services walk off the job later this month?
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