Airports are like small cities, with thousands of people working side by side every day. From cabin crew to cleaners, security to ground crew, baggage handlers to catering staff – every role is essential to keeping the airport running safely and smoothly. That’s why E tū’s Safe Airports campaign is about looking at the airport as a whole, standing together for decent pay, secure jobs, and safe conditions for everyone on site. When workers across an airport come together, we can tackle issues that affect us all – from safety hazards to low pay – and win improvements that make a real difference for every part of the team.
Big year for cabin crew
E tū represents more than 2,000 cabin crew members across every major airline in Aotearoa, with collective agreements covering all the main employers. In 2025, every one of those agreements is up for renegotiation. Our delegate teams have been hard at work, making sure the voices of crew are front and centre.
- JetConnect Short Haul members have just ratified a ground-breaking agreement with major wins, including improved part-time contracts, more days off to improve work-life balance, protections against duties being brought forward , and overall pay package increases between a whopping 22% and 33%.
- JetConnect Long Haul members are next in line for bargaining, with Jetstar delegates also preparing for their negotiations later this year.
- At Air New Zealand, Wide Body Cabin Crew bargaining is progressing, Turbo-prop crew are deep in their first unified negotiations since the Air Nelson and Mt Cook merger, and Short Haul crew have led an energetic campaign that included the first ever paid union meetings for their group nationwide.
All this activity has seen E tū’s cabin crew membership reach post-Covid record highs in 2025 – a testament to the hard work of our members and delegates.
“We achieved a majority vote of 97%, which spoke volumes – we’ve been able to win a great new agreement for our members. Shout out to all the delegates who gave up their time and energy, even outside of work hours, to make this happen.”
– Andrew Reilly, JetConnect delegate
Soana Vakauta
Living Wage for airport cleaners
While some airport workers are making big wins, others are still fighting for the basics. Cleaners like Soana Vakauta, who works for Assetlink at Auckland International Airport, keep our airports clean and hygienic – work that’s physically demanding and absolutely essential. Yet they’re still not paid the Living Wage.
“I love my job, although it’s tiring and physical work. We come to work to support our families, but what we earn now is not enough for the most basic needs,” Soana says.
“If we were paid the Living Wage, we could cover the bills and still have time with our kids and grandkids. Right now, I don’t have that time, my grandkids ask why they barely see me, and it breaks my heart.”
Many cleaners have left for better paying jobs, and those who stay often work two jobs just to survive. E tū is calling on the airport employers to value this essential work and commit to paying the Living Wage.