The threat of a looming strike – set to disrupt travel for 120,000 Air New Zealand passengers over the three busiest travel days of the year – has been lifted, to sighs of relief all round.
Air New Zealand said it was pleased that an agreement has been reached with the unions representing its aircraft maintenance and logistics workers.
Three days of mediated negotiations concluded with the parties reaching an agreement that the unions will now take to their members for a vote.
Air New Zealand chief ground operations officer Carrie Hurihanganui said the airline had focused on achieving resolution on behalf of its customers, who could now be reassured their Christmas holiday travel plans are secure.
“We know how important it is to our customers to get where they need to be, particularly at this special time of the year and the negotiating teams have been working diligently to achieve this result.”
Hurihanganui said the airline was still unable to discuss details of the agreement, as the unions needed time to “communicate it to their members and achieve ratification”.
She acknowledged the good faith in which the negotiations had been conducted in helping achieve this outcome for travellers.
Initially, the unions Aviation and Marine Engineers Association (AMEA) and E tū had served notice of two tranches of strikes covering 21, 22 and 23 December 2018.
Edited by Peter Needham
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