Engineers reject offer, escalate action

Air New Zealand Engineers voted to reject the airline's proposed settlement late last week and served notice that they will be escalating their industrial action.

The offer annualised to 3.9% per year for two years but members of the EPMU and the Aviation and Marine Engineers Association overwhelming voted it down.

EPMU lead organiser and negotiation advocate Phil Knight says the rejection shows the mood of the members. "The strong rejection of this proposal and the call for more industrial action shows how determined our members are to get a decent deal."

"We're obviously still looking to talk with Air New Zealand about a deal," says Knight, "and meetings are being set up between members and management so the company can get a clear read on where our members are coming from."

Last night Air New Zealand challenged the unions' strike notice and rather than face possible delays through litigation the delegates have decided to withdraw the first notice and issue another. This means the escalation of industrial action will be delayed by a few days.