Auckland Airport staff walk off job in wages dispute

Auckland International Airport workers walked off the job at midnight and were today picketing the national and international terminals protesting at the company's latest wage offer.

Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) national secretary Andrew Little told NZPA that with an offer of 3.5 per cent on the table when the staff wanted 5 per cent, they had no option but to move to the 24-hour strike.

Mr Little was this morning on the picket line with the 70 aircraft marshalling and security staff. "This is an incredibly profitable company -- they are doing very well to the point where yesterday they announced a $200 million payout to shareholders.

"They've got the cash, they can afford it, and there's simply no excuse why they shouldn't pay 5 per cent."

There was no further industrial action planned at this stage, Mr Little said.

The staff would be back at work tomorrow but unless agreement could be reached further industrial action was likely.

The company has said the disagreement had arisen over a claim from EPMU for a five per cent plus five per cent wage rise over a two-year term.

The company had offered staff a three-year package that would cost the company six per cent in the first year and 4.7 per cent and four per cent in the subsequent years.

But Mr Little said only 3.5 per cent of those figures were actually wage rises, with the balance made up of discretionary bonuses and superannuation.

Airport general manager of operations David Hansen this week said business as usual was expected today with other staff able to cover for the striking union members.

- NZPA