AA to maintain breakdown service in face of union threat

14 November 2014

AA to maintain breakdown service in face of union threat

AA Roadservice will continue to meet the needs of its Members in the event of industrial action threatened by contact centre employees following a stop-work meeting yesterday afternoon.

The AA is disappointed the EPMU has suggested industrial action is being considered while collective employment agreement negotiations haven’t concluded.

AA spokesman Liam Baldwin says ensuring that Members are not left stranded is the club’s first priority.

“We will ensure we can cover any disruption caused to our service,” Mr Baldwin says.

“While we’ll endeavour to minimise any impact on our Members, it’s possible that there will be delays to answering calls for roadside assistance at peak periods.”

Mr Baldwin says EPMU’s claims the AA dragged out the bargaining process are unfounded.

The EPMU and the AA have been in negotiations for a new consolidated collective employment agreement covering our three contact centres.

“It’s a complex piece of work which has involved all parties throughout the year and has required a lot of exchange of information in an attempt to reach alignment of terms and conditions.”

The current offer allows for a 3% salary increase across the board and provisions to make changes to rosters to better meet the needs of the business, particularly during peak periods.

Any changes to hours or work will require the AA to consult with staff enabling them to have input which must be considered before any adjustments to rosters are made.

“We’d like to get back around the bargaining table with our contact centre team with a view to settle on a new agreement as soon as possible.

“Until then, we’ll ensure we will meet the needs and expectations of our Members in the event of disruption caused by industrial action,” Mr Baldwin says.

The AA is also in negotiation with AA Roadservice officers and vehicle inspectors on a new collective agreement and further talks are being scheduled.

“We believe we have a good collaborative relationship with the EPMU and our desire is to resolve any disputes in complete good faith.

“The AA is a 24-hour operation that has moving peaks and troughs throughout the year. We’re a Member organisation and their expectation is that the AA will always come to the rescue in the shortest possible time. That’s the minimum standard we must provide,” Mr Baldwin says.

The New Zealand Automobile Association is an incorporated society with more than one million members. It represents the interests of road users who collectively pay more than $2 billion in taxes each year through fuels excise, road user charges and GST.

www.aa.co.nz

ENDS

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