Aviation union want Jetstar to reveal working conditions after clipboard sucked into plane engine

The largest aviation union in New Zealand is challenging the ground handling company Aerocare to reveal its training regime and working conditions.

It comes after a clipboard was left on a Jetstar plane before take-off and was sucked into the engine on Saturday. 

The plane was headed to Sydney from Auckland but was forced to return when debris was seen. 

E Tu Aviation say the incident was unacceptable and it is concerned over the stress that long working hours may be having on workers.

In response to the clipboard incident, Aerocare said in a statement that fatigue was not a factor in the the oversight of the two staff members working on the Jetstar plane.

One worker on the aircraft, the Leading Hand, was working a six hour shift on the day in concern and their previous shift had finished at 1.30pm the previous day, Aerocare said.

The other worker, the dispatcher, was three hours into their shift after also finishing at 1.30pm the previous day.

Aerocare said said they do not force any employee to work a split shift.

The baggage handling company said they have a one tenth injury rate of their competitors and have never been sanctioned for any safety incident in their 25 year history.