Air New Zealand faces strike by international cabin crew trainers over pay

Air New Zealand is bringing more crew back as its international network rebuilds. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Air New Zealand faces a strike from cabin crew leaders who provide training for flight attendants on Boeing 787s.

E tū has issued strike notices, "in frustration and increasing anger at faltering wage talks as part of a new collective agreement".

The union says the strike would put a ban on regulatory in-flight training of existing and returning crew, taking effect from March 22.

It won't affect the travelling public but if it goes ahead, it will mean delays in training crew as the airline rebuilds its international network.

The union says Air New Zealand needs to come to an agreement on paying decent wages to its workers.

Sandie Bartlett, a member of the E tū negotiating team, said the decision to strike was never taken lightly, but members have run out of other options.

"We've been in bargaining for more than two years, and the company has so far refused to recognise that the wages for experienced cabin crew returning from redundancy are too low.

"Their start rate is only just above minimum wage, when crew want to see it starting from at least the living wage."

The minimum wage moves to $21.20 an hour from next month and the living wage is $22.75.

Air New Zealand chief people officer Nikki Dines said the airline has been bargaining with the union representing the 44 staff for the past two years and had a ''constructive conversation'' last week.

More talks are planned this week.

''We were surprised to receive notice of strike action from E tū,'' she said.

The signalled strike action is a ban on training other employees and on recording results and signing off the training of other employees.

Dines said the airline had a number of collective agreements covering its workforce and was committed to working with the unions to agree fair and equitable pay and conditions.

''Last week we settled an agreement with our main airports collective with a 4 per cent increase across the board and targeted increases for entry level positions at 9 per cent.''

Bartlett said Air New Zealand's focus on ultra-long-range trips to North America means the company wants crew to fly for up to 19 hours, and up to 22 hours in the case of a disruption to the scheduled flight times.

However, the crew want a fair wage to do so and clearer rules on fatigue management.

"We need reassurances our wages will go up and that our rosters won't increase the existing fatigue problems all crew face."

E tū's head of aviation, Savage, who is also the advocate for the agreement, said the collective agreement for the group has been in negotiation since the end of 2019.

"Before the pandemic pay rates were so low, members were heading toward full strike action.

"However, in terms of workers' pay, the situation still hasn't changed. There has been no increase in the start rate since October 2018," Savage said.

"We recognise that Air New Zealand is in debt and needs to trade its way back to profitability, but it also needs skilled staff. Crew can't survive on these low rates.

"We don't believe the company will be able to retain experienced and trained crew with the amount it has offered so far."

He said ''at this stage'' cabin crew have chosen to limit their strike to the in-flight training component of their jobs to avoid major disruption to passengers.

However, there's no doubt that a decent pay increase must be on the cards for members to consider a resolution – something that the company's baggage handlers have already won, now their starting rates are up to almost the living wage.

"Cabin crew are responsible for safe operations in the air and go through extensive training to develop the experience and expertise needed to do their jobs," Savage said.

"As essential workers, this group has also made significant sacrifices both personally and professionally to ensure that New Zealanders have had access to air travel during the pandemic.

"It's only fair that they are provided with decent jobs with pay rates which reflect that and the high level of personal commitment they bring to their work."

Dines said the airline knew the past two years have been tough on staff.

''In recognition of this we gifted all our permanent employees $1000 worth of Air New Zealand shares (or the cash equivalent) last year.''

She said it had brought back 160 crew onto the 787 fleet in readiness for more passenger flights as borders start to open.

''We are also rehiring crew on our domestic jet and turboprop fleet and our first port of call is those crew who lost their roles through Covid.''

There had been a fantastic response to recalls.

''Our crew bring a lot of passion, knowledge, and care to their roles and we want to work closely with E tū to reach a reasonable agreement as quickly as possible,'' said Dines.