Unions commend government speed in keeping Air

TheCouncil of Trade Unions has been impressed with how quickly and decisively theGovernment has acted to ensure Air New Zealand can stay in operation.”This quick action provides Air New Zealand staff with some certainty inthese times of unprecedented uncertainty,” CTU President Richard Wagstaffsaid.

“Wehave been pleased in the way Air New Zealand has engaged with union members andofficials. They have been open to true collaboration with unions andgovernment, a model all employers should be willing to explore.”

“TheCTU is pleased to see the cancellation of the dividend that was due to be paidas an example of shareholders also contributing to bolstering the financialposition of the company.”

“Inpractical terms what the Government has provided today with the loan facilitymeans that union members can feel assured that company can meet any redundancyor restructuring payments to staff.

“Wewill continue to encourage Air New Zealand and government to work with unionsto redeploy staff to other areas of society. Air New Zealand staff are highlyskilled and multi talented and those are the exact skills we need in the widercommunity to get us through this crisis. Air New Zealand should also look tobring overseas aircraft maintained work back to New Zealand from Singapore andusing only New Zealand based crew.”

“Theseare certainly challenging times, but they are also an opportunity to thinkcreatively, widely and collaboratively to minimise impact on working people,business and New Zealand as a whole,” Wagstaff said.

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