Cabin crew to appeal decision

Press, 21 April 1984, Page 1

Cabin crew to appeal decision

PA Auckland Four Air New Zealand cabin crew who have been reassigned duties after claiming they were too fatigued to work a flight will appeal to the head of the airline’s management, Mr Norman Geary. The four, and one other, claimed they were too tired to man a Los Angeles-Hono-lulu flight two weeks ago.

As a result of an airline internal inquiry, they have been told they would be reassigned to domestic duties. The Airline Stewards and Hostesses’ Union says the move is a demotion, but the airline says the duties of the

cabin crew have been reassigned.

"We believe it is in their best interests and in Air New Zealand’s that they be assigned services not involving long-haul flights," a company spokesman said. “For the average person the roster provides ample rest, and this will lessen the likelihood of their becoming tired or sick.”

The spokesman said he believed the four who were reassigned duties will exercise their right of appeal to Mr Geary. The fifth crew member, who had been ill in London and who had a medical certificate, will continue to

work on international flights. The spokesman said that each of the four would have the right to discuss their reassignment with Mr Geary, as soon as possible after Easter. The difference in pay for the four amounts to thousands of dollars less a year. The airline’s actions’ have outraged the union. The president of the union, Mr Peter Best, said after the announcement that “all hell would break loose,” and that all sections of the union were behind the four crew members. “They are absolutely disgusted and the airline must realise this will be a continuing problem as more crews break down on this roster. “You just cannot push people beyond their physical and mental limits, which is what the airline is doing,” he said. Talks are being held between the Airline Stewards and Hostesses’ Union and the Airline Pilots' Association. Mr Best said that the union suspected the airline was attempting to force the union into taking illegal industrial action. Five of the seven cabin crew members who claimed fatigue on a Los AngelesHonolulu flight last week have been told to report to the airline's medical centre in Auckland. The other two are resting in Honolulu.