Foreign-workers plan shocks union

THE Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union is ‘‘absolutely stunned’’ that Air New Zealand is applying to employ foreign aircraft engineers in the wake of layoffs that have totalled more than 300 roles across the airline and its subsidiaries.

The EPMU was asked to give feedback on Air New Zealand’s application for Employer Accreditation by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

‘‘Kiwi aircraft engineers are losing their jobs, and Air New Zealand has the gall to tell MBIE that they need to be able to fast-track immigration for overseas workers,’’ said Strachan Crang, EPMU assistant director of organising.

‘‘We’re absolutely stunned ... If Air New Zealand were to get this approval it would create a mockery of the Employer Accreditation status programme,’’ he said.

‘‘The accreditation process wasn’t created so companies could sack workers one day and then bring in overseas workers the next.’’

The Employer Accreditation scheme is run by Immigration New Zealand. It is open to New Zealand employers who are unable to find ‘‘suitably qualified and/or experienced’’ New Zealand workers.

One of the key requirements is that an organisation shows ‘‘a commitment to training and employing New Zealand residents’’.

The airline is applying to renew its accreditation status for ‘‘highly specialised’’ roles.

‘‘The specialist nature of these roles mean they can be difficult to fill within the New Zealand employment market,’’ the airline said. ‘‘The skills required are entirely different to the engineering roles referenced in the EPMU.’’

The airline identified the specific roles as: university-qualified avionic engineers, design engineers, structures and interiors engineers, senior aeronautical engineers, software automation test engineers, quality and safety aeronautical engineers.

But the EPMU maintains two of the roles – aircraft engineers and avionics engineers – were the same as those from which the company this year made workers redundant.

‘‘Air New Zealand should do the right thing and offer work to Kiwi aircraft engineers who need jobs,’’ Crang said.