Air N.Z. dispute may spread

Press, 1 February 1986, Page 1

Air N.Z. dispute may spread

Air New Zealand’s catering dispute might spread to other sections of the airline as the strike by kitchen staff continues. 1 The support of engineers and ground stewards will be sought during the week-end by unions representing the catering staff. A strike by engineers and ground stewards would ground all flights, although 14 days notice of industrial action must be given.

Christchurch kitchen staff,, who prepare inflight meals for international flights, voted at a meeting yesterday to continue the strike. Another meeting will, be held in Christchurch on Tuesday. Auckland and Welling-, ton kitchen staff voted yesterday not to resume normal work pending the Arbitration Court hearing of the dispute on February 12. The secretary of the Canterbury Hotel Workers’ Union, Mr Martin Moodie, said that the

airline was “digging in” for the sake of it and the suspension of kitchen staff on Thursday was intended to inflame the situation.

“Unless the dispute is solved soon, clearly we feel that we must bring it to a head,” he said.

The involvement of other .unions in the dispute could mean a number of things, although Mr Moodie refused to comment on whether other workers would be asked to strike in support. The secretary of the Canterbury branch of the Engineers’ Union, Mr Bob Todd, said his union had not been approached but any request would be assessed and voted on by members.

Kitchen workers went on strike on Sunday after five Auckland staff were suspended for working to rule. The work to rule began when kitchen staff failed to gain parity with ground stewards at wage talks last week. The union says that kitchen staff do

basically the same work as stewards who get an extra allowance if they have a heavy vehicle licence.

Mr Moodie said he would meet union officials representing. Auckland and Wellington kitchen staff during the week-end and was always available to discuss the dispute with the airline’s management

All meals on international flights out of New Zealand have been cut since the strike began and passengers have been compensated with $2O handouts. ‘

The cabin services manager for Air New Zealand, Mr Graeme McDowall, said that the suspensions had been imposed legally because workers were on strike. Suspensions would be lifted only if there was a return to full duties. The airline’s management had no plans to discuss the dispute with the unions concerned during the week-end, he said.