Unions to meet over Air NZ/Qantas deal

By NZPA

Monday 25th November 2002

A new partnership between Air New Zealand and Qantas, which is to buy a 22.5 percent stake in the New Zealand carrier, announced today was welcomed by the one of the major unions representing Air New Zealand workers.
"We are happy with it," Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union national secretary Andrew Little said.

"We are pleased to see the possibility of extra jobs in engineering in Christchurch with taking on the extra Qantas engineering work."

He said the union was very keen to work with the company over the finer points of the plan in the next few months.

"We are pleased the uncertainty has been brought to an end.

"It is poised to put Air New Zealand in good stead financially and give it a bit more security for the future."

Mr Little said since last year the union had believed Air New Zealand's survival depended on an alliance with a large airline.

"The real challenge is to maintain the independence, management autonomy and the brand identity.

"But I think given the last few months and the history of Air New Zealand, the chance of eliminating or diminishing the Air New Zealand brand in the short, medium or even long term, is pretty minimal," Mr Little said.

He said the time had come to "stop looking over our shoulder in horror at the Australians and see them as allies and friends."

Meanwhile the Council of Trade Unions will hold a joint meeting of Air New Zealand-related unions next Monday.

"We need to urgently assess any short-term impact on staff and will seek commitment from the company about job security," CTU spokesman Paul Goulter said in a statement.

The CTU was also discussing issues with its Australian counterpart.

Mr Goulter said unions had welcomed the airline's rescue by the Government a year ago as the company was vital to New Zealand's economy.

"Throughout this difficult saga Air NZ staff have continued to do their jobs with pride and professionalism.

The Service and Food Workers Union (SFWU) said it was pleased with the partnership.

"Most pleasing are company assurances that there will be no retrenchment of jobs across the business," SFWU national secretary Darien Fenton said in a statement.

However, the union said it was unclear what impact there may be on Qantas New Zealand workers.

"Qantas has not undertaken the open process of consultation with the union -- that Air New Zealand has adopted -- and this leaves some unanswered questions about the future viability of SFWU members' jobs in the Qantas call centre," Ms Fenton said.

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