Talks on the future of about 1700 passenger and groundhandling services jobs at Air New Zealand are due to start in Auckland today.
The talks, between the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union and the airline, represent the last opportunity to stop the outsourcing of the services, EPMU secretaryAndrew Little said yesterday.
In October Air New Zealand announced a proposal to contract out its airport services business at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to an overseas joint venture, saying it could save $20 million.
After consulting the airline, the EPMU filed legal action in the Employment Court questioning its motives.
Air New Zealand has since postponed any decisions about its proposal until the case is heard in Auckland on February 8.
Mr Little said there was a lot at stake in the talks.
"This is about the future quality of this important frontline work and about the future quality of working life for many of these employees."
The union doubted the claimed savings were possible.
