EPMU media release

4 March 2007

EPMU, Air NZ reach deal

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union and Air New Zealand have reached a deal that could stop the outsourcing of 1800 ground services jobs.

The deal is based on the same heads of agreement offered to Air New Zealand by the EPMU late last month and was accepted by the airline last Friday night.

EPMU National Secretary Andrew Little says there are still some details to be pinned down.

“We still have to negotiate how workers move through the proposed new pay structure and we still have to write the final document up and take it to our members to vote on.

“Our members have been very patient and have shown great solidarity in the face of months of uncertainty. Securing this deal means they will finally have some idea of what their future at Air New Zealand will be.

“Ultimately, the decision will be for our members to make. They are in a dreadful situation having to make a choice between making changes to keep the work in-house or watching the work be contracted out at lower terms and conditions.”

It is likely the timeframe for finalising the deal’s detail and taking it to members for ratification will be three to four weeks.

On Monday the EPMU will continue its court action alleging bad faith by Air New Zealand during the outsourcing consultation.

ENDS

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