November 8, 2006

Media Release

Workers in shock at Airpoints closure

Workers at the Air New Zealand Airpoints call centre in Christchurch are in shock after the airline announced today that it will be closing the call centre and relocating to Auckland, says the union representing the workers.

Around seventy workers met with company officials at 3pm today to be told of the decision.

The airline foreshadowed the decision a month ago and embarked on a brief consultation process that ended last week.

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union National Secretary Andrew Little says the reasoning behind the company’s decision doesn’t seem to stack up.

“The workers are shocked and disappointed and most of them walked out of the meeting clearly distressed,” he said.

The EPMU is now investigating legal and other options to challenge the company’s decision.

This decision follows recent proposals from Air New Zealand to contract out its passenger check-in, baggage handling and financial services.

ENDS

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