AA technicians restart industrial action

Automobile Association staff who respond to motorists' roadside breakdowns have started industrial action again.

But they won't be striking over the four-day Easter holiday.

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) said today the roadside technicians who voted to reject the AA's last offer would begin action with an indefinite ban on sales of AA car batteries.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little said such sales were a significant source of revenue for the association.

Earlier this week AA spokesman Simon Lambourne said the association and the EPMU had agreed on a 4.5 percent wage increase and changes to its long service policy in the new collective agreement.

He said the AA was "surprised and disappointed" the contract had been rejected.

Mr Little said today sticking points in the dispute were still national pay parity and long-service leave.

Although the AA's last offer began to deal with these issues "it has obviously not gone far enough for our members."

He added: "These workers are highly experienced tradespeople working long and disruptive shifts and all they want from the company is decent recognition of that."

"They will keep pushing until they get a deal they are happy with."

Members would meet again after Easter to decide the next step in their campaign.

- NZPA