Going public faulted

Press, 24 March 1988, Page 1

Going public faulted

PA . . J Auckland Tire secretary of the Airline Stewards and Hostesses’ Union, Mr ; Tom Downey,] I yesterday criticised a group; of hostesses who lhave alleged se riial harassment, saying their co nments and actions would only Aflame the situation.! J Il H' He said there hrd been [instances of such haidssment by individual crew men: Hers.figainst colleagues, both h HMieLp and female, and those (cases ; had been! brought to his attention. But not on|e hostess who complained to tt e Equafl, Opportunities I Tribunal had also made allegations to the unibn.’ ! [. | Seventeen hostesses employed by Air New Zealand [have taken a sex discrimination case! to the

tribunal. |-, . | In evidence they outlined instances where . they alleged sexual harassment by male colleagues. -J]/ Mr( Downey said he was, particularly concerned that the! publicity surrounding those claims hadl been damaging to the work done by union members. “The whole of bur male membership has been maligned! The image of all of dur and their work; has been demeaned,” he said. I ! ; J i Female I members had been ridiculed by passengers and the : public comment on the more i salacious Aspects of the cage, he said.J | i II ' i i ■ |[ Mr Downey said sexual harassment occu!rred in all spheres of work. ';[■■! JI! p I (