Strike action this morning as company holds firm

28 June 2008

Media Release:

Strike action this morning as company holds firm to New Zealand’s worst employment contract

Further strike action is taking place this morning against New Zealand’s worst employment contract. It covers workers in the foodcourt at Auckland International Airport who will be taking strike action from 11am this morning.

Auckland International Airport

11am today

Unite Union National Director Mike Treen has described the contract as medieval and today’s strike and protest follows no shift in the company’s position in negotiations last week.

“This company seems determined to hold onto this appalling contract while the workers are determined to get a better deal”.

“It has some of the most onerous conditions we have seen in a New Zealand contract. The workers are treated without dignity or respect by two high profile companies (Host Marriott Services Corporation and Auckland International Airport Limited) who operate the foodcourt business in a joint venture.

To add insult to injury most of these workers received a 6% cut in pay this year when the company cut standard shift hours from 40 to 37.5 hours per week. These cuts included workers who have worked at the site for many years.

Last week the union wrote to both Auckland City Council and Manukau City Council as shareholders in Auckland International Airport to seek support

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