Kiwi pilots could strike over Virgin Australia deal

Photo / AP

New Zealand pilots could strike and cause travel disruption if they don't reach a collective bargain agreement with carrier Virgin Australia, a tribunal has heard.

Kiwi pilots have been locked in negotiating a deal with the airline for more than four years, and they parties have now been referred to facilitation, overseen by an Employment Relations Authority (ERA) member.

The facilitation - designed to "overcome impasses in collective bargaining and facilitate settlement wherever possible" - comes after the latest round of mediation failed to reach an agreement.

A threat of strike action had been raised by the pilots' union, the New Zealand Air Line Pilots Association (NZALPA), but was later withdrawn when the parties agreed to mediation.

After two mediation meetings in June this year resulted in a stalemate, NZALPA applied to have the bargaining referred for the ERA to step in and provide facilitation.

In a new ruling released today (Wed), ERA member Alastair Dumbleton granted the application for referral.

An ERA colleague has now been assigned to provide the facilitation.

Part of Mr Dumbleton's reasoning was the looming threat of strike action, given that the bargaining has been "unduly protracted".

"It is likely that if settlement cannot be reached industrial action will follow and in that event there will be disruption to public transportation which will affect the interests of the public," he said.