Legal battle over Air NZ engineers

December 1, 2005

Media Release

Legal battle over Air NZ engineers

Air New Zealand faces a legal battle over its plans to outsource heavy engineering to an overseas supplier – with the cost of some 617 New Zealand jobs.

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union national secretary Andrew Little said that legal action had been filed today in Auckland after the company rejected the unions’ request for undertakings to allow enough time for appropriate consultation.

“Getting rid of Air New Zealand’s heavy engineering capacity is a huge step – not only for the company, but for the country as well,” he said.

“This is a decision that should not be rushed, and we are asking the authority to tell Air New Zealand to slow down the decision-making process.”

The action is being taking by the EPMU and the Aviation and Marine Engineers’
Association.

Mr Little said that the unions were asking the Employment Relations Authority to stop the 58-day decision-making process and to order proper consultation over the issues.

ENDS

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