Air NZ Engineers Threaten 21-23 December Strike
Dec 8, 2018, 7:51 pm
#31
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
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When I read the news story, I made two additional fully refundable bookings DUD-WLG on earlier dates for my 2 lads. They are 'lucky' to have such flexibility, I can imagine that many travellers don't.
This was done to cover the situation where (if) alternate flights were offered but we decided that they were unsuitable for some reason, then we could take a refund and use these contingency tickets instead. Their current tix are Seat+Bag and so not usually refundable.
This was done to cover the situation where (if) alternate flights were offered but we decided that they were unsuitable for some reason, then we could take a refund and use these contingency tickets instead. Their current tix are Seat+Bag and so not usually refundable.
Dec 9, 2018, 1:43 am
#32
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: Airpointes
Posts: 20
The numbers mentioned appear attractive, however this is a skilled trade and these incomes are now unheard of in similar fields.
The work done is often out of hours, weekends, public holidays and on call (the most hated work condition to many).
The skills are internationally transferable and international rates of pay have to be considered (just like a CEO compares their own remuneration to some other CEO in the US).
Only those at the table really know the score, if the engineers are being greedy or management too stingy.
Hopefully this will be resolved soon so people can be where they need to be.
Possibly not relevant but reminds me of a quote, "you think hiring a good tech is expensive, try hiring a cheap one!"
Dec 9, 2018, 12:52 pm
#33
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 644
Part of the problem is the high 'progressive' income tax. Whatever hourly premium the airline is offering is wiped or significantly reduced once you take into account, the overtime is mostly likely taxed at the highest income tax bracket. Workers may value their time over incremental net pay. I don't see this left-wing union friendly government reducing income taxes or adjusting the income tax bracket creep in a hurry.
Last edited by poopbunny; Dec 9, 2018 at 1:30 pm
Dec 9, 2018, 2:09 pm
#34
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posts: 1,467
Agreed, there is much discussion of what they already get but not of how they get it.
The numbers mentioned appear attractive, however this is a skilled trade and these incomes are now unheard of in similar fields.
The work done is often out of hours, weekends, public holidays and on call (the most hated work condition to many).
The skills are internationally transferable and international rates of pay have to be considered (just like a CEO compares their own remuneration to some other CEO in the US).
Only those at the table really know the score, if the engineers are being greedy or management too stingy.
Hopefully this will be resolved soon so people can be where they need to be.
Possibly not relevant but reminds me of a quote, "you think hiring a good tech is expensive, try hiring a cheap one!"
The numbers mentioned appear attractive, however this is a skilled trade and these incomes are now unheard of in similar fields.
The work done is often out of hours, weekends, public holidays and on call (the most hated work condition to many).
The skills are internationally transferable and international rates of pay have to be considered (just like a CEO compares their own remuneration to some other CEO in the US).
Only those at the table really know the score, if the engineers are being greedy or management too stingy.
Hopefully this will be resolved soon so people can be where they need to be.
Possibly not relevant but reminds me of a quote, "you think hiring a good tech is expensive, try hiring a cheap one!"
You may be correct and they may be deserving, I have no idea. But the tactics being employed by the union are IMO appalling, and do them no credit. This is not a group of working class people hard up before Xmas. However, many of the people affected will be, saving up for flights to see their families at Xmas etc. They are not like many of us on this forum who have options, like booking flexidates etc . The optics are not in the Union's favour here. And if there is a strike and the government does not say anything, I can't see them coming out of this smelling like roses either.
Dec 9, 2018, 5:25 pm
#35
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Auckland NZ
Programs: NZ Gold Elite, AS, AC, QF
Posts: 748
High progressive income tax? In New Zealand?
Part of the problem is the high 'progressive' income tax. Whatever hourly premium the airline is offering is wiped or significantly reduced once you take into account, the overtime is mostly likely taxed at the highest income tax bracket. Workers may value their time over incremental net pay. I don't see this left-wing union friendly government reducing income taxes or adjusting the income tax bracket creep in a hurry.
Dec 9, 2018, 5:33 pm
#37
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NZ
Posts: 731
You may be correct and they may be deserving, I have no idea. But the tactics being employed by the union are IMO appalling, and do them no credit. This is not a group of working class people hard up before Xmas. However, many of the people affected will be, saving up for flights to see their families at Xmas etc. They are not like many of us on this forum who have options, like booking flexidates etc . The optics are not in the Union's favour here. And if there is a strike and the government does not say anything, I can't see them coming out of this smelling like roses either.
Dec 10, 2018, 1:00 am
#38
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
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So 1 booking down for NZ already. If strike dates extend over Christmas period then I'll have other NZ bookings to look at replacing.
Dec 10, 2018, 1:07 am
#39
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: AKL, YUL
Programs: NZ*GE, UA*G
Posts: 319
Dec 10, 2018, 2:24 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
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The intended strike is specific to Air NZ flights as far as I can tell, so other carriers that 'buy' services from Air NZ engineering would, I presume, continue unaffected.
Caveat: my presumptions have been wrong before.
Caveat: my presumptions have been wrong before.
Dec 11, 2018, 12:58 am
#42
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3 days of strike: 21-23 Dec inclusive
This will also seriously stress NZ’s ability to try and move pax to alternate days
Dec 11, 2018, 1:16 am
#43
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: NZ
Programs: NZ*E, QF-G, EK-P
Posts: 604
Don’t think this has been raised in the thread......
assuming this is only jet services and not turbo prop?
Mt Cook and Air Nelson engineers would be on a different contract?
anyone who is better informed have any idea?
thanks
assuming this is only jet services and not turbo prop?
Mt Cook and Air Nelson engineers would be on a different contract?
anyone who is better informed have any idea?
thanks
Dec 11, 2018, 1:18 am
#44
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: AKL
Programs: NZ Silver
Posts: 1,816
What a miserable bunch...I respect their ability to strike, but for the unions to jeopardise peoples plans around Christmas is truly abhorrent. These aren't employees who are treated poorly our paid poorly either, how many other companies give all their staff bonuses? If they feel so aggrieved, maybe they should see how green the grass is on the other side at say Jetstar? Whilst I am "lucky" to have the flexibility that I don't need to be at a wedding, graduation etc., the grandparents who see my daughter 2-3 times a year stand to be deprived of a few days with her, they probably aren't as relaxed as me about it.
Dec 11, 2018, 1:21 am
#45
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: AKL
Programs: NZ Silver
Posts: 1,816
Correct, the turboprop engineers are not striking