Air NZ crews call off strike before Christmas

After months of negotiations, more than 400 Air New Zealand staff have decided to call off their planned strike just a week before Christmas. The short-haul cabin crews, responsible for domestic and trans-Tasman/Pacific flights, were originally set to strike on December 18 due to pay and conditions disputes.

E tū assistant national secretary Rachel Mackintosh announced that the strike was canceled after reaching an “agreement in principle” with the airline. While some final wording details still need to be ironed out, the deal for the cabin crew is close to being finalized.

Air New Zealand’s chief people officer Nikki Dines expressed relief that disruptions over the holiday season were avoided. She emphasized the importance of recognizing the crucial role cabin crew members play in the airline’s operations.

The union had been in negotiations with Air New Zealand since April and had warned of strike action if an agreement could not be reached. Mackintosh stressed the importance of fair work conditions for the crew who are essential in ensuring the smooth operation of the country’s transport system.

Previous strike plans for December 8 had also been called off, with Dines acknowledging the pressure and uncertainty that comes with bargaining at such a scale. The airline had estimated potential disruptions for up to 15,000 customers across all fleets.

Overall, the resolution of the strike threat brings relief to both the airline and passengers as the busy holiday season approaches.