Engineers’ dispute may disrupt flights

Press, 30 March 1985, Page 29

Engineers’ dispute may disrupt flights

PA Auckland Aircraft could be grounded after Easter if a wages dispute between engineers and the oil companies is not resolved. The Engineers’ Union has given notice to the oil companies that its members who work in oil depots and refuel planes at airports intend to strike. The union’s national secretary, Mr Rex Jones, has said, “We have been careful to minimise disruption outside the oil industry by ensuring that no industrial action starts until after Easter, and only at four to five-day intervals after that.”

Some aircraft might be

grounded on the days action was taken, he said. Petrol supplies would probably not be disrupted. Negotiations over ruling rate agreements between the union and the oil companies broke down last week.

“The dispute arose because of the oil companies’ stubbornness in renegotiating ruling rate agreements that bring these workers’ wages up to a rate similar to that paid in other industries,” Mr Jones said. “The oil companies are trying to tear up longstanding agreements on how these rates are calculated.”

An oil industry spokesman was unavailable for comment.