Christchurch Airport firefighters will from tomorrow refuse to carry out a range of non-core duties following the continued refusal of the airport company to table a pay offer that respects their critical role.
The strike action takes place over a 21-day period, beginning at 8am tomorrow Wednesday 18 December 2024 and ending 6pm Wednesday 8 January 2025. This follows the breakdown in negotiations for a new collective employment agreement. Negotiations have been underway since August.
"We are disappointed to still be in this situation, but it is one of the airport company's own making by failing to respect the valuable work our members do around the clock," said Fleur Fitzsimons Acting National Secretary for Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
"We had been hopeful that the airport would have tabled a fresh and acceptable offer during the facilitation with the Employment Relations Authority last week, but that has not happened yet.
"The company has left members with no choice but to continue with the planned action."
Christchurch Airport is a very profitable employer. Underlying profit jumped 37% this year to $41.8m. Its shareholders - Christchurch City Council and the Government - received a dividend of nearly $19m.
"The airport company has the money to give firefighters a pay rise that properly respects the critical role they play in keeping passengers safe and helping the airport run smoothly.
"They work hard, firefighters maintain a 24/7 operation and live on site. Their pay needs to reflect the unusual and important nature of their work. It's insulting that the company thinks firefighters are overpaid.
"The current offer is well below the rate of inflation. Our members went backwards in the last agreement, and they are not prepared to have their real pay further eroded at a time when costs, including mortgage rates, are still a huge burden for many.
"The PSA urges the airport company to do the right thing and make a fair pay offer."
