Travellers could experience major delays at airports later this month if aviation security staff go on strike over pay and conditions.
If the strikes go ahead, it will be the first time they have walked off the job in 30 years, and it's taking place at the country's main international and domestic airports right in the middle of the school holidays.
In short, there will be long delays at security checkpoints on the following dates:
Auckland Airport
Wellington Airport
Christchurch Airport
*Those travelling to and from Christchurch Airport won't be as badly affected as there is only a ban on overtime during this period.
Airports are advising passengers to check online for up-to-date flight information before heading to the airport, arrive early to allow plenty time to get through the queues, and ensure departure documents are completed ahead of time and check-in items are prepared for inspection.
Aviation expert Irene King says the strike will cost airlines dearly in customer satisfaction, and it could also backfire for the striking security workers.
"It's targeted to inflict a lot of damage on the travelling public and I think the security will lose a lot of support [for them] accordingly."
Unions representing airport workers have been fighting a long battle with their employer the Aviation Security Service for better pay and conditions.
The Public Service Association (PSA) says the strikes were called after a dissatisfactory new offer, where some workers won't get a pay rise for years, was imposed.
"It means that for a number of our members by the time they actually get an increase to their base rate it will be three years for some of them since they last had a pay increase - that's a significant wait," says PSA national secretary Glenn Barclay.
"Then for some of them we don't actually think this offer will actually deliver increases to the base rates at all."
The PSA and E tū unions say striking is their last resort so there's still hope it could be called off if an agreement is reached.
They have agreed to last-minute mediation with the Aviation Security Service on July 15 but say strike notices remain in place.
If all else fails the Government's now indicated it could step in to stop the action and resulting disruption, which could involve other agencies like police or customs being brought in to do the job.
The outcome all parties are hoping for is an agreement before the strike.
Newshub.
