EPMU To Make Case For Air NZ inquiry

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union will make its case for a parliamentary inquiry into Air New Zealand's abuse of employment law at a Select Committee hearing tomorrow.

The appearance before the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee is the result of a petition signed by more than 1000 Air New Zealand workers who have had their terms and conditions reduced under threat of outsourcing over the last two years.

EPMU National Secretary Andrew Little says Air New Zealand must be held accountable for its actions.

"Air New Zealand has exploited loopholes in New Zealand's employment law to attack the pay and conditions of thousands of their workers through the threat of outsourcing. They've acted in a cynical manner and the law has allowed it.

"We owe it to the thousands of workers who have borne the brunt of Air New Zealand's tactics to stop this happening again.

"New Zealand's employment law is supposed to be based on good faith and equality at the bargaining table and we don't believe Air New Zealand's actions have met this standard. The question now is whether the law really provides workers the protections it promises."

The Select Committee hearing is set down for 10am tomorrow. There will be a media conference on the front steps of Parliament at 11am with union officials and Air New Zealand workers available for comment. A copy of the union's submission will also be released at this time.

ENDS

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