Carrier enters accord

By Graeme Kennedy

Friday 1st March 2002

Air New Zealand has struck a formal accord with its major unions to allow workers' direct input into decisions on operating issues affecting the airline.

The new business review process involves organisations including the Council of Trade Unions (CTU), the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) and others representing pilots, flight attendants and service workers.

Air New Zealand has already agreed to the process and the proposal is going to members around the country with ratification expected in two or three weeks.

The arrangement was initially driven by the CTU as a means to create greater worker involvement in strategic decisions affecting Air NZ's future.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little said the process would operate at two levels - one involving new CEO Ralph Norris, his senior management team and union secretaries and the other middle management and union officials and delegates.

"The aim of the process is to continue the good relationship between the company and its unions and to have input into decision making," Mr Little said. "It will tie people to a process so the company and unions will better understand each other.

"Once people know what the company needs to achieve, the workforce can work with management to reach those goals.

"Air New Zealand has retained the goodwill of its workers through the crises of last year. Its world-class workforce is one of the biggest assets this airline has and the relationship with its workers and their unions helps give the company its competitive edge.

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