Airport security staff to maintain safety

Media Statement 14 July, 2016

Airport security staff to maintain safety

New Zealand’s Aviation Security Service (Avsec) is pleased to have reached a pay deal with unions and says it will be ‘business as usual’ at airport screening points.

Yesterday’s urgent top level mediation in Auckland with representatives of the Civil Aviation Authority, Avsec and their Board reached agreement with PSA and Etu union officials. The Unions will take the deal out to their members for ratification. This could take several weeks.

Unions agreed to withdraw their strike action and injunction proceedings against Avsec effective immediately. Avsec management agreed to withdraw its lock out notices to enable unions to formally ratify the pay offer with their members.

Director of Civil Aviation Graeme Harris said “The lock-out step was not taken lightly but would now overlap the time it will take to seek ratification. Hence the notice will be withdrawn”

Avsec won’t be commenting on the nuts and bolts of the new deal as this needs to first be taken out to union members by their organisers.

“All we can say is that there was some meaningful give and take on both sides. We appreciate the continued professionalism and dedication to safety shown by our officers during this difficult time.” Mr Harris said.

“Avsec’s plans to provide replacement security support at the three strike-threated airports if industrial action went ahead have now been put on hold. I am relieved we did not have to activate those plans. In every sense we were prepared to maintain high standards of aviation security so the public could be confident they could fly safely.” Mr Harris said.

There will be no further comment on this matter until the Unions have received responses from their members.

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