Air NZ ground staff announce strike date

28 September 2004

Air NZ ground staff announce strike date

Air New Zealand ground staff represented by the Service and Food Workers Union (SFWU) have this afternoon announced they will strike for 22 hours on Friday 15th October.

The union delivered formal strike notice this afternoon after Air New Zealand failed to improve its pay offer.

SFWU advocate Alastair Duncan says the strike will consist of a complete withdrawal of labour by Auckland and Christchurch based union members from 2.00 am on October 15th until midnight of the same day.

"If the strike goes ahead it will be the first industrial action by this group of workers in twenty years.

"It is a sad indictment on the Air NZ management team when a workforce as loyal and as professional as Air NZ ground staff is forced to take such a step."

Alastair Duncan says the union is keen to meet with the company before the 15th to see if the action can be averted and has already suggested meeting dates next week.

"At the end of the day we are looking for a fair settlement. That can't happen unless and until management is prepared to meet our concerns."

The key issues delaying settlement have been the level of pay offered and demands by the company to clawbacks overtime affecting part time staff, split the current single collective into four separate agreements each lasting three years.

ENDS

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