Air NZ proposes to cut 180 engineering jobs

August 23, 2013
Media Release

Air NZ proposes to cut 180 engineering jobs

Air New Zealand has told staff it intends to close its wide body aircraft heavy maintenance facility in Auckland by July 2014 at a cost of 180 aircraft engineering jobs.

The proposed closure is the result of the loss of third party engineering work, the retirement of Air New Zealand’s own 767 fleet and the airline’s inability to attract replacement work due to the high New Zealand dollar.

The news follows recent job losses at the Christchurch Engine Centre, Safe Air and Air New Zealand Technical Operations.

EPMU assistant director of organising Strachan Crang says the union will work with the airline to try to keep jobs in New Zealand.

“The confirmation of job losses is devastating for our members and we will be doing everything we can to protect jobs.

“This announcement comes as Air New Zealand is proposing to outsource the upgrade of its Boeing 777-200 fleet. The EPMU wants this work done in New Zealand and we are committed to working with the airline to keep our members employed.”

Mr Crang says action is needed on the high New Zealand dollar if aircraft maintenance is going to have a future in this country.

“Our members are an engaged workforce who respond well to change and work hard to remain productive. Over the past three years they’ve delivered productivity gains in the double figures but this has all been eaten away by the high value of the New Zealand dollar.

“New Zealand has world-class aircraft engineers but unless we see action on the high dollar this highly-skilled, well-paid industry will continue to decline.”

The EPMU will now enter a 58 day consultation process with Air New Zealand and will have the opportunity to analyse the business case and put up an alternative proposal.

ENDS

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