Unions seek injunction to restrain lockouts at Airports

Source: PSA

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The New Zealand Public Service Association and E tū have today filed legal proceedings in the Employment Court in Wellington which seek to restrain the proposed eight day lockout of Aviation Security Staff at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin airports.

"We are asking the Employment Court to deal with this urgently and issue an interim injunction to restrain these unlawful and irresponsible lockouts," said Glenn Barclay, National Secretary of the New Zealand Public Service Association.

"We consider the lockouts are unlawful because of uncertainty coming from the employer about who is locked out, how long for and the reason for it."

"The PSA and E tū consider the lockouts and the employer’s threats that they will bring in replacement workers during the lockouts are unlawful."

"The lockouts are irresponsible and aggressive action which would cause massive disruption to the travelling public."

"The unions are focusing on preparing for mediation which is occurring on Wednesday in Auckland."

"The PSA and E tū are calling on AvSec to focus all its energies into bringing an offer to mediation that can settle this dispute and resolve in all action being called off."

"Given the strong public support and the strength of feeling among Aviation Security staff in the face of difficult behaviour by the employer, we are hopeful that this dispute can be resolved quickly."

ENDS

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