Progress at Air NZ

Progress is being made in the Air New Zealand Ground Services dispute after a new process and timeline for dealing with the airline’s outsourcing proposal was confirmed on Monday this week.

The process is aimed at developing an alternative to the outsourcing, will run until the 7th of February next year and will consist of considerable consultation with affected union members.

EPMU National Industry Organiser for Aviation Strachan Crang says the new process offers the opportunity to get the facts on the table. “This is a good chance to get this situation fixed – we’ve managed to get the airline’s version of the 58 day process stopped and that means we’ve got more time to works towards a decent outcome for our members.”

“We’ll be heading into this process in good faith,” says Crang, “and we expect Air New Zealand will also be looking to do this process justice.”

The outcome of the dispute will affect over 1700 ground services workers including passenger check-in and baggage-handling staff.

The first step of the process will be a meeting between the union and Air New Zealand on the 18th of December.