Delays Lead to Air Nelson Industrial Action

New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association

For Immediate Release

12 September 2012

Delays Lead to Air Nelson Industrial Action

New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association (NZALPA) pilots employed by Air NZ subsidiary, Air Nelson, have given notice of intention to embark on industrial action, commencing on Saturday 22 September 2012 and continuing until Wednesday 26 September 2012. On each of these days pilots will fly "standard instrument approaches and departures" procedure. The industrial action should not impact the travelling public, as these procedures are routinely flown in poor weather.

The parties first met to negotiate in February 2012 and reached agreement in principal on all bargaining claims in July 2012. However, since that date, the company has been unwilling to conclude the necessary drafting required to enable NZALPA to commence the ratification process.

"We find ourselves in the unfortunate situation that our members cannot receive the benefit of their new terms and conditions because the company won't finalise the necessary drafting required" NZALPA General Manager, Virginia Mudie said. "Every week that passes, the company makes a saving funded out of our members' pockets. We cannot allow this to continue."

The parties are scheduled to attend mediation on Tuesday 18 September. "We hope that the company will come to mediation properly prepared to finish the drafting processes so that we can commence ratification, and thereby call off industrial action," Ms Mudie said.

ENDS

About NZALPA - Established in 1945, NZALPA is an internationally affiliated professional trade union for New Zealand pilots and air traffic controllers. Our diverse membership includes General Aviation and commercial pilots, flight instructors and approximately 400 of New Zealand’s air traffic controllers in the employ of Airways NZ.

NZALPA was one of the 15 founding states of IFALPA - the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations, an organisation founded to represent the interests of over 100,000 pilots worldwide. IFALPA membership is dispersed through 101 Member Associations who work together as the ‘global voice of pilots’.

In 1965, NZALPA joined the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations (IFATCA), which represents 50,000 air traffic controllers worldwide. NZALPA is one of 130 Member Associations affiliated to IFATCA, and has remained an active member in all aspects since joining.