Air New Zealand Cabin Crews Call Off Planned Strike Before Christmas

Air New Zealand’s short-haul cabin crews have decided to call off their planned strike set for December 18, 2023, following a breakthrough in negotiations with the airline. The crews, who operate on domestic flights as well as routes across the Tasman Sea and the Pacific, had initially intended to walk off the job over disputes regarding pay and working conditions.

Unions representing the cabin crews have been in discussions with Air New Zealand since April. According to Rachel Mackintosh, assistant national secretary of the E tū union, the decision to cancel the strike was made yesterday after they reached an agreement that was “close enough” to being finalised. While some details still need to be resolved in the coming week, the union felt confident that the agreement would prevent disruption during the busy Christmas travel period.

Air New Zealand’s chief people officer, Nikki Dines, expressed her relief that the strike would not take place, stating, “Our negotiating teams have been working hard to reach an outcome that recognises the vital role our cabin crew play while supporting the long-term health of the airline.” This sentiment reflects the airline’s commitment to balancing employee needs with operational stability.

The union’s negotiations had intensified as the strike date approached, with the threat of walkouts around Christmas highlighted as a last resort. Mackintosh previously indicated that the crews were reluctant to disrupt passengers but felt they had exhausted other negotiation avenues. “This work is important, and these crew members are essential to the transport system of our country, ensuring that people in New Zealand can get where they need to go,” she stated. “They should have decent work conditions to be able to deliver that service.”

Additional context emerged when a previous strike planned for December 8 was also called off shortly before it was scheduled to occur. At that time, Dines noted that discussions with E tū were constructive and making progress. “We’re hopeful we’ll reach an agreement and have all bargains in a position for our cabin crew to vote as soon as possible,” she remarked.

The airline estimated that strikes across its fleets could have impacted between 10,000 and 15,000 customers, highlighting the significant potential disruption that was averted. As negotiations continue, both the union and the airline remain focused on achieving a resolution that supports the needs of cabin crews while maintaining operational integrity as the holiday season approaches.