Air N.Z. firm on promotion stance

Press, 8 October 1988, Page 8

Air N.Z. firm on promotion stance

PA Auckland Air New Zealand says it will stand by its decision to promote six of the air hostesses involved in the sexual discrimination inquiry. A spokesman for the airline, Mr Chris Destrieux, dismissed union claims that the hostesses were ineligible for promotion. He said the Equal Opportunities Tribunal, which will rule on 15 hostesses’ claims of sexual harassment and job discrimination, might not even make the final decision.

But claims amounting to $1.5 million may have to be decided by the High Court.

“We believe it could be some time before the courts make a decision,” he said.

Many of the hostesses relinquished their right to promotion several years ago to work exclusively in first class.

To qualify for promotion the union required them to for go years of seniority and service and start back in the economy station.

“We have taken advice and believe the decision to promote the women is

within the rules of the award." Mr Destrieux said.

The hostesses' case was a “highly charged, emotive, situation" after events on Thursday took a new twist, he said.

At a meeting of about 70 of its 1500 members, the secretary of the Airline Stewards and Hostesses' Union, Mr Tom Downey, called for a noconfidence vote in the company’s cabin services management. It also supported a Labour Court injunction to stop the promotions set to be heard on October 17 and 18.

Mr Downey accused the company of provoking the dispute. He said he would propose the hostesses refuse promotions in the interest of the union. One is to become chief purser and the others pursers from October 19.

Mr Downey referred to a seniority document dated November 17, 1987, in which he said the company agreed that none of the complainant hostesses would be promoted until the case was resolved. Meanwhile, hostesses at the centre of the row are being counselled as their

fellow workers meet to protest against their promotion.

Several of the 15 women, some at "breaking point,” met at the Human Rights Commission, which is representing them.

They were counselled by a member of the Working Women's Resource Centre which specialises in helping women under severe stress.

A legal adviser for the Human Rights Commission, Ms Frances Joychild, said the hostesses' ordeal had been going on for a long time. Everyone had a breaking point. "People should remember that these women still have to go to work. There is a lot of hostility. They are 15 against 1500 union members,” she said. The Human Rights Commission was critical of the stewards and hostesses’ union use of the media, and its stand against the women’s promotion. She said that because the commission was a party to the Equal Opportunity Tribunal hearing and the union was not. the commission had to be restrained in what it said.