Air talks sought to avert strike

Press, 4 April 1989, Page 1

Air talks sought to avert strike

By

LES BLOXHAM

Air New Zealand has requested informal talks with pilots over the dispute which threatens all flights on April 14. The vice-president of the Pilots’ Association, Captain Geoff Ogilvie, confirmed last evening that Air New Zealand had made an unexpected request for informal talks.

“We welcome any attempt to get talks started, but we are intrigued to know how unilateral informal talks between Air New Zealand’s management and the association will work when months of formal talks have failed,” Mr Ogilvie said. The association gave notice last week that it would take the action after four months of trying to get its employers — Air New Zealand, Ansett New Zealand, Mount Cook Airlines, Safe Air, and Eagle Air — to negotiate a common award.

A 10-hour stoppage on April 14 is planned. Mr Ogilvie said the employers needed to hold their own informal talks to break down the philosophical barrier they have erected around themselves. The association had tabled its claims and had been “waiting patiently” for four months for a log of counter-claims. “The award is being frustrated by the inability of the airlines to co-operate with each other and produce a common log of coun-ter-claims,” he said. ’ * "

If the strike threat is carried out, there will be no flights between 5 a.m. and 3 p.m. on April 14 while pilots meet to decide their next move.