Alstom Transport NZ Ltd is the succesful bidder for Tranz Rail's outsourced Motive Power Division. This division is
responsible for the maintanence of all locomotives and the Operation of the Hutt Workshops.
February 20th 2002
ALSTOM Transport – Collective Employment Agreement
ALSTOM Transport New Zealand Limited and the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) are pleased to announce that they
have finalised terms of settlement for a new Collective Employment Agreement (CEA) intended to cover union members
employed by ALSTOM Transport under the company’s outsourcing contract with Tranz Rail Limited.
The new CEA is due to come into force on 22 March 2002 in line with the commencement date of the outsourcing
arrangements. Although yet to be ratified by union members, RMTU General Secretary Wayne Butson said that the Union
endorsed the settlement and will be recommending the new CEA be ratified by members of the union who will be covered by
it.
“The Union is happy to state that the provisionally-settled CEA has resulted in the ‘same or more favourable’ test being
met in every material sense,” Mr Butson said after the conclusion of negotiations.
The deal includes a 3% pay increase effective from 22 March to be followed by a cost-of-living adjustment in March 2003
based on the movement in the Consumer Price Index. The new CEA will run for two years until 31 March 2004.
ALSTOM Managing Director Geoff Hunt said that new Collective Agreement is a positive result for all concerned and will
form the basis of a constructive working relationship with the RMTU and its members.
“ALSTOM is committed to treating employees fairly and this CEA settlement reinforces that commitment. A two year deal
will provide ALSTOM Transport with a stable basis for its employment relations,” Mr Hunt added.
Wayne Butson, General Secretary of the Rail & Maritime Transport Union said that whilst the Union had approached the out-sourcing with caution the negotiation
process with ALSTOM had been very smooth as both parties had committed themselves to a jointly developed Good Faith Code
for bargaining which is required by the Employment Relations Act and that this has provided an excellent platform for
the negotiations to advance to a satisfactory conclusion.
“A two year collective agreement with good wage increases will provide a stable platform so as we can all get to
understand one another better and develop good industrial relations,” said Mr Butson.
The agreement now has to be ratified by RMTU members once the final makeup of the workforce is identified following the
exchange of the employment offer and acceptance letters between ALSTOM and former Tranz Rail employees.
It is intended that copies of the provisionally-settled Collective Agreement will be distributed in the near future to
all affected union members so that the ratification procedure can be initiated. ENDS For further information contact:
Brian Cronin, RMTU (04) 499 2066 or call ALSTOM Helpline: 0800 103 842.
Wayne Butson General Secretary Rail and Maritime Transport Union P.O. Box 1103 Wellington, NZ Ph: 0064 4 4736693 Fax:
0064 4 4710896