Striking baggage handlers go back to work

Striking baggage handlers returned to work at Auckland International Airport today confident they had sent a strong message to their employer over a wage claim.
The 80 baggage handlers were on strike over the weekend over a failure to settle a wage claim with Menzies Aviation.

International flights by several airlines, including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Pacific Blue, Thai Airways and Garuda were affected.

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union Auckland director Mike Sweeney said baggage handlers had not had a wage increase for two years.

He said they were being paid between $11 and $12 an hour and over a week were earning about $100 less than Air New Zealand baggage handlers.

The union was due to meet the employer later today to discuss the claim.

- NZPA