Air New Zealand Asks ALPA To Call Off Strike
Air New Zealand is calling on the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) and its members to reconsider their decision to call a 48 hour strike, describing the proposed action as a “self-defeating exercise”.
Air New Zealand has received notice from ALPA that its members employed on Air New Zealand Limited`s domestic and international services propose to strike from 4.00am Friday, 19 July, to 4.00am, Sunday, 21 July. The notice of strike action does not affect Mount Cook, Freedom Air, or any other airline in the Air New Zealand Group.
Air New Zealand Limited says reports suggesting it has asked pilots to accept a 15% pay cut are incorrect.
Air New Zealand is in discussion with ALPA to seek agreement on methods to reduce costs to assist with the implementation of the Group`s short-haul strategy and is investigating areas where sustainable productivity improvements can be made.
It is also asking all employee groups (including ALPA members) to accept a 12 month wage pause to help it regain commercial viability after the Group came close to collapse last year due to the loss of its Ansett investment and the international travel downturn that followed the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York.
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If ALPA or its members mistakenly believe that the Group is asking them to take a pay cut, ALPA members should be asking their representatives to come back to the negotiating table to clear up this matter immediately.
Air New Zealand hopes that ALPA and its members will respond positively to the imperative the business is implementing, withdraw its strike notice and return to negotiations.
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