Air NZ cleaners fight out-sourcing

Air NZ cleaners fight out-sourcing

Air New Zealand aircraft cleaners are gearing up to fight plans to contract out their work.

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union national secretary Andrew Little said that the airline appeared determined to replace all 124 specialist aircraft cleaners with outside contractors.

“Mediation to settle this dispute has failed,” he said.

“The company appears to be hell-bent on replacing its loyal and hard-working cleaners with contractors – probably as a cost-cutting move.”

Mr Little said that the union had lodged court action over the proposal.

“This proposal, to replace permanent services with contractors, is a breach of the employment agreement and previous undertakings,” he said. Air New Zealand is expected to tell workers on Monday whether it intends going ahead with the contracting proposal.

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