Wednesday, 16 May 2018
EMBARGOED until 0930 HOURS
‘Critical Safety Roles Operate without Access to Basic Human Need’ – Air Traffic Controllers Tell Select Committee
Many of the country’s Air Traffic Controller (ATCs) men and women are carrying out their essential safety-critical roles
without the certainty of even taking a regular toilet break, the union representing the country’s ATCs told the
Education and Workforce Select Committee today.
The New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association (NZALPA), who represent nearly every Air Traffic Controller in the country
and an increasing number of Airways’ Flight Services staff, told the Select Committee that changes to the proposed
Employment Relations Amendment Bill (ERA Bill) were ‘safety-critical’ to allow ATCs to take a break during each shift.
The Select Committee heard that the proposed legislation could require ATCs to work continuously for up to 9.5 hours
without any rest and/or meal break.
NZALPA President and international airline pilot Tim Robinson said that, given Air Traffic Control is widely recognised
as one of the most stressful occupations in the world with the highest need for mental alertness, restricting the
ability for Air Traffic Controllers from having ‘normal’ breaks like other workers is irresponsible and unsafe, and
could potentially lead to a serious incident or accident.
“Many ATCs, particularly those based at regional airports, are often solo controllers working the shift by themselves.
This means that they have the sole duty to ensure that the aerodrome and surrounding airspace remains safe,” Robinson
said.
“While many of these regional airports would seem to have relatively low levels of aircraft movement, ATC’s must
maintain continuous visual watch throughout the duration of their shift, and often have to respond to unexpected and
sometimes urgent situations involving the safety of aircraft.”
In its presentation NZALPA pressed the Select Committee to consider the safety impact of excluding Air Traffic
Controllers from having mandatory rest and meal breaks because it is an essential service.
“In many comparable jurisdictions such as Canada, every control tower is routinely staffed by more than one person. In
many countries in the European Union it is a legal requirement to have more than one person on duty following fatal
accidents in the past.
“Does New Zealand have to wait for a major accident to occur in order to highlight the need for proper rest and meal
breaks to be legislated?” Tim Robinson asked.
The proposed ERA Bill outlines that employees are entitled to and must be provided with mandatory rest and meal breaks
during their work shift. However this requirement excludes those employed in an ‘essential service’ including ATCs.
Although the proposed ERA Bill reflects the wording of the current legislation, NZALPA is calling for it to be amended
to allow ATCs the same meal and rest breaks as other workers.
NZALPA also explained to the Select Committee that under the current law, ATCs have had to come up with creative ways to
be able to relieve themselves while still maintaining watch of the air space, posing a threat to the health and safety
of not only the ATC, but also to the airspace users and, ultimately, the travelling public.
“What we have is proposed legislation which provides mandatory breaks for relatively low-risk retail and hospitality
workers, and doesn’t provide mandatory breaks in a stressful and challenging role like Air Traffic Control. It’s
absurd,” said Robinson.
Meanwhile the Select Committee also heard concerns in regard to the continuance of the 90 day trial period. In its
submission NZALPA explained that these provisions allow New Zealand’s most vulnerable employees to be exposed to ‘fire
at will’ provisions.
“Within the aviation industry often the people affected by these provisions are young graduate pilots with large student
loans, on low wages and far less likely to raise legitimate safety concerns for fear of losing their jobs.”
ENDS