Air New Zealand offering increases of between 4.14% and 6.41% for international cabin crew
International cabin crew members of Air New Zealand will be striking for three days in February to protest about their pay increase and the conditions they face at work.
The Flight Attendants' Association of New Zealand (FAANZ) and E tū have issued strike notices for February 11, 12, and 13, impacting Air NZ's B787 and B777 flights.
The strike comes as the union criticised Air New Zealand's latest offer, saying it would only lift crew to the living wage, which they fear could soon fall below a liveable income as inflation rises.
"With inflation continuing to bite, many flight attendants are concerned they'll be back below a liveable wage within a short time," said FAANZ president Craig Featherby in a statement quoted by Radio New Zealand.
Air New Zealand's offer
But Nikki Dines, Air New Zealand's chief people officer, rejected claims the crew are paid below the living wage.
Air New Zealand's latest offer includes increases to base salaries of between 4.14% and 6.41% in the first year, according to Dines.
Dines said that the offer includes improvements to conditions while supporting the airline's long-term sustainability.
"Cabin crew have a unique work and compensation structure, and suggestions that our crew are paid below a living wage are not accurate. Their base salary provides a consistent income, regardless of the hours they fly," she said in a statement to HRD.
"In addition to their base salary, cabin crew receive payments and allowances to recognise additional responsibilities, time away from home, and longer duties. They also receive further allowances to support them while they are away from home."
Conditions faced at work
Meanwhile, the union is also calling out the conditions faced by international cabin crew members amid "preventable issues" at the airline, such as lack of catering, missing equipment, inoperative seats, broken cabin features, and higher-than-usual cancellations.
"Flight attendants, as the face of the airline, are constantly having to work around these issues and apologise to passengers who have paid premium fares to fly with the national carrier."
"The company is sending a clear message to those who represent its frontline – that they are undervalued, despite carrying the weight of the operation every day," Craig said as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
Dines said they have received the formal strike notices from the FAANZ and E tū.
"We remain committed to working with the unions to reach a fair outcome that recognises the valuable contribution of our crew who deliver a world class service for our customers, while balancing the affordability of travel and the challenging economic environment we're operating in," Dines said.
"If the strikes go ahead, the airline will support affected customers and minimise disruption to the extent possible."
Air New Zealand previously averted strike action from cabin crew members before Christmas last year after reaching an agreement with union representatives in principle on pay and conditions.
