Flights are set to be disrupted later this month, when a number of airport security workers take industrial action.

The PSA unions are planning rolling strikes at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch airports between July 20 and 27 and a simultaneous three and a half hour strikes at Auckland and Wellington on July 20.

There will also be bans on overtime and extra hours at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

E Tu head of aviation Kelvin Ellis said it's the first time workers have walked off the job in three decades.

"In an industry with increasing demands around security needs, and rising passenger numbers, they're saying - in our view quite rightly - that that's not good enough."

Kelvin Ellis said they're still hopeful of an offer to be made before the strike takes place.

However, the Prime Minister is unimpressed with the timing of threatened strikes by airport security staff.

John Key's not ruling out the possibility of bringing in staff from customs or even the police to man the security checkpoints.

"We need to have people who can look at those X-Ray machines and understand exactly what they're looking for, and make sure they're providing the protection that people who travel through our airports need and deserve."

Labour leader Andrew Little said the Government’s threat to bring in police or customs was “good old-fashioned National union-bashing”.

Aviation security was an increasingly important role, he said, and airport staff were under growing pressure because of global security threats.

As a result, the Government needed to make a reasonable settlement with the sector, Mr Little said.

“In the end, like any good public service, the Government has to make sure we have an aviation security service that is up for the job, good professional people, and does its job of keeping our airports safe and secure.”

Mr Little said union members did not take industrial action lightly, and they were responding to years of low pay increases and the rising cost of living.

“You cannot continue to keep the lid on reasonable pay claims and expect that nothing is going to happen.”

The Labour leader doubted that any strikes would damage New Zealand’s economy, saying that the schedule for industrial action was just a few hours a day.

AUCKLAND
Wed 20 July: 1000 - 1330 plus overtime/extra hours ban all day
Mon 25 July: 1530 - 1830 plus overtime/extra hours ban all day
Wed 27 July: 0530 - 0830 plus overtime/extra hours ban all day
WELLINGTON
Wed 20 July: 1000 - 1330 plus overtime/extra hours ban all day
Fri 22 July: 1530 - 1830 plus overtime/extra hours ban all day
Tues 26 July: 0530 - 0830 plus overtime/extra hours ban all day
CHRISTCHURCH
Wed 20 July: overtime/extra hours ban all day
Mon 25 July: overtime/extra hours ban all day
Wed 27 July: overtime/extra hours ban all day