16 August 2010

Media Release

Pacific Blue Departure Will Cost Jobs

The departure of Pacific Blue from New Zealand domestic routes could cause the loss of up to 200 jobs according to the country's largest aviation sector union, the Engineering, Printing & Manufacturing Union.

Pacific Blue announced today it was pulling out of domestic services in New Zealand in mid-October and increasing the number of trans-Tasman flights by 5 a week.

"In addition to their own staff Pacific Blue is dependant on a number of other service providers and suppliers who will have to scale back their operations because of the loss of domestic work and this will inevitably mean job losses," EPMU national secretary Andrew Little said.

"The EPMU represents nearly 90 ground staff in Auckland and Wellington who work for Menzies Aviation and whose jobs will be affected. There's another 30 or 40 ground staff in Christchurch who will be affected and obviously some of the cabin crew flying domestically will be affected," said Mr Little.

"The attempt by Pacific Blue to cover up the true impact of their withdrawal from domestic services by saying they would create new jobs is just crass as it's clear the opposite will happen.

"Once again, a large number of kiwi workers will pay the price of proving that our domestic aviation market cannot sustain three airlines on the main routes.

"It's bad enough that many paid the price by taking low wage jobs for a low service/low cost airline with the promise by Sir Richard Branson of a great future, and now they're paying twice with the loss of their jobs.

"The union will work constructively with relevant employers to ensure the affected workers are treated fairly and decently and we will work with the industry to see if there are other opportunities to pick up these valuable aviation staff."

The EPMU represents around nearly 5000 aviation personnel across New Zealand working as ground staff, aircraft engineers, cabin crew, catering staff and technical support staff.

ENDS

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