'It's been very hard': Auckland Airport emergency staff threaten strike action over pay and training

Auckland Airport's emergency services staff plan to walk off the job late this month over pay and support for compulsory overseas training.

The 69 workers provide crucial round-the-clock firefighting, marine response, rescue and medical care. 

They've voted to strike for 24 hours on the 24th and 27th if they're not met with an offer. 

E tū Union secretary Mat Danaher says the negotiations have been long and 'drawn out', and action needed to take place. 

"We're in a cost of living crisis, and they need to be able to keep pace with those changes to the cost of living, the need to be paid at a kind of rate that's comparable to similar experts, and we don't think the employer's offering enough." 

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