Job Assurances Needed in Air NZ
“The unions in Air New Zealand need assurances that jobs have long term security,” said joint union spokesperson and
Council of Trade Unions secretary Paul Goulter today.
“While the Qantas proposal seems to address our concerns in engineering, assurances are needed in all areas of
operation, involving both air crew and ground staff, on jobs with both airlines,” he said.
“Also, while the prospect of additional jobs in engineering is welcome, the company needs to develop a good
apprenticeship programme to ensure upskilling and recognition of those skills.”
Paul Goulter said the CTU shared the concern of Australian unions that Australian jobs not be exported to New Zealand as
a result of this proposal.
“Any growth in jobs on this side of the Tasman must result from genuine business growth,” he said.
Paul Goulter said unions in Air NZ agreed that the future of Air NZ needed to be secured, and in the face of hostile
competition the deal with Qantas may be the only way to ensure the Air NZ branding survived.
“However, now government has considered the national interest criteria there are real competition issues to be
considered by the competition bodies on both sides of the Tasman,” he said.
“For all New Zealanders there is an issue about affordable travel,” he said.
Paul Goulter said that recent strengthening of our competition law should ensure that those issues were adequately
considered before any deal was signed off.