AA strike first in 105 years

December 17, 2007
Media Release

AA strike first in 105 years

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union members at the Automobile Association walked off the job today for the first time in the organisations 105 year history after the association refused to maintain their service leave.

After weeks of negotiations the AA is still refusing to keep the extra week of annual leave all AA roadside technicians currently get after six years of service.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says the AA’s failure to recognise longstanding staff is short sighted.

“The AA needs to realise its reputation as a reliable New Zealand institution is largely due to the experience of its longstanding staff and it needs to reward them for their loyalty.

“These are skilled workers doing a hard job and the AA shouldn’t begrudge them a week’s leave just to save some money in the short term.

“As an association the AA has a responsibility to its members to make sure they have the best service possible and they should start with ensuring they do right by their most experienced and vital staff so they don’t lose them. Petty quibbling over a core condition like this shows a real lack of foresight from the organisation.”

The industrial action will involve more than 130 AA roadside workers nationwide and is scheduled to carry on indefinitely.

Striking workers will be picketing outside AA Towers (99 Albert St, Auckland) from 7:30 am tomorrow.

ENDS

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