International flights affected by strike

Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Pacific Blue, Thai Airways and Garuda are among the international airlines with flights affected by a baggage handlers’ strike this weekend.

Eighty baggage handlers and aircraft cleaners are on strike from midnight last night until 6am on Monday over the failure to settle their employment agreement. Their employer, Menzies Aviation, is contracted to provide services for many international airlines flying into Auckland.

The workers say that they were forced to accept low wages when the company was facing difficulties, but believe that they should be paid fair market rates now that times are good.

“All these people want is a decent living wage that recognises their skill and dedication,” said Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union Auckland director Mike Sweeney.

A protest rally and march was held at Auckland airport this morning.

Mr Sweeney said that the workers were sorry if their action affected people’s traveling plans, but they needed to get their message across to their employer.

“The airlines have to understand to that they are dealing with a company that is not paying its staff properly,” Mr Sweeney said.

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