PARK IT:???
Below in the NEws Today:
Tuesday March 18, 08:40 PM
Air Nelson has plans to counter pilots' industrial action
Air Nelson says it has contingency plans in place to minimise planned industrial action by pilots next week.
Members of the New Zealand Air Line Pilots' Associations (NZALPA) have served notice to Air Nelson of a half-day withdrawal of labour on Tuesday, March 25, and has also served work to rule notices for March 27 to April 7 inclusive. "Air Nelson is working hard to ensure its services will remain unaffected over this period and at this stage is confident that the impact on passengers will be minimal," the company's general manager, John Hambleton, said tonight.
The industrial action had been well signalled by NZALPA and the airline had been working through contingency plans to ensure continuity of service to passengers.
"We are disappointed that NZALPA timed the initial action to impact on services at the end of the Easter break when a large number of passengers are travelling home," Mr Hambleton said.
He said the company believed the nature of pilots' current claims amounted in total to an increase in pilot labour costs of close to 30 percent.
"The pilots' roster claims intended to enhance time off would reduce their average duty hours (excluding training staff) to below the current 31 hours per week.
"That would require the company to employ in excess of 36 additional pilots, costing the company millions. We do not believe our passengers are willing to pay millions of dollars more for their airfares," Mr Hambleton said.
A spokesman for the pilots' association could not be contacted for comment.
A couple of thoughts come to mind:
IS this accurate reporting?
I Q the validity of below 31 hrs per week duty time???
Watching with interest:
Q Why only a half day withdrawal of labour? I think thats a bit weak?
Chr's
H/Snort