March 13, 2009

Media Release
 

Top-up a bottom line at Air NZ

As the largest union at Air New Zealand, the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union says any negotiations to move to a nine day fortnight would need to include an employer top-up as a bottom line.

The call comes after Air New Zealand today indicated it would embrace the scheme if the company decided to reduce capacity as a result of the economic situation.

The airline also indicated in its statement that it would be willing to top-up the government subsidy in line with the EPMU’s position.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says it’s important workers’ pay packets are protected.

“Our position on this issue is clear. Many workers have already taken a hit through lost overtime and shift allowances and they aren’t in any state to take another hit in the pocket.

“The government’s nine day fortnight scheme is a programme to avoid redundancies where they would otherwise be considered and Air New Zealand has not indicated this to us at all.

“We’ve also made it clear that the decision on whether members will buy into the scheme will be a decision for them to make on a collective basis.”

The EPMU is the largest union at Air New Zealand, representing more than 4000 engineers, ground staff and cabin crew across the airline and its subsidiaries.

ENDS

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