AirNZ Industrial Action

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RailFlyer

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Hi All,

I can't find another thread about this already. The union representing the AirNZ jet fleet hanger/line maintenance staff is planning to strike for 3 days from 21st December.

This presents a risk to me, as if they can't agree a way forward during mediation, it could leave me stuck in the South Island just before Xmas.

We are meeting the in-laws (they live in Australia) in CHC this weekend and touring around the SI for a week ending up in Queenstown. We are due to fly back home (with in-laws) to Auckland the following Sat (22nd). Unfortunately we don't have any friends or family in the South Island, so we would be at the mercy of what accommodation is left at this busy time of year if we were stranded there. Been looking at a plan B; possibly to buy a "refundable" (with credit vouchers :-( ) JetStar flight on the same day back to Auckland (just over $200/head) as an insurance policy - worth it to avoid Xmas being ruined. However, I am wondering whether JetStar would really have their own, independent, engineers at a small airport like Queenstown, or would they have an agreement for AirNZ to provide their engineering support there? i.e. would I be totally wasting my money?

I appreciate that the most likely outcome is that the strike is called off, as the amount of bad-will that it would create for both the airline and union at this time of year would be terrible. But on the off chance it goes ahead, I would like to avoid the risk of Xmas in a motel with my 80 year old in laws.

Any ideas much appreciated.
 
I'm in a similar situation, Railflyer. We're scheduled to fly out on Dec 22 from SYD to LAX (via AKL) and connecting 10hrs later to ATL and HAV to start a 10 day tour of Cuba. I'm agonising over whether to pay $3k each for cancellable VA Y fares just in case the strikes go ahead - $200/pax more than our PE tickets on AirNZ, which may cost $300/pax to cancel :(. While our travel insurance covers strike action, I'd rather get this sorted out beforehand and know we're actually going to get to do our trip as planned. Better out $1k for two than messing up $7k of other travel plans... ?

I am generally supportive of unions and their right to take industrial action, but this feels more like extortion. One day causes enough disruption to make a point - three days is just cruel to families at Christmas.
 
I am generally supportive of unions and their right to take industrial action, but this feels more like extortion. One day causes enough disruption to make a point - three days is just cruel to families at Christmas.

Exactly. Given it appears that this is the first time they have striked like this, it seems 3 days at this time of year where a lot of travel is family related rather than for business, is really over the top. Hopefully sense will prevail. Apparently one of the things they are demanding is the ability to hold the next round of negotiations (in 2-3 years) at this time of year again!

My plan B is to book a turboprop flight (fully refundable) from Queenstown to WLG as a back-up as apparently their maintainers are in a different union. At least I can walk home from Wellington, whereas I am not such a good swimmer!
 
Any ideas much appreciated.

Purchase a fully-flex (refundable) fare on another carrier for the day after, and if the NZ flight goes ahead, cancel the other flight.

At least that way you'll get to your destination, and not be stuck with thousands of others attempting to get to your destination on the few available seats.
 
Purchase a fully-flex (refundable) fare on another carrier for the day after, and if the NZ flight goes ahead, cancel the other flight.

At least that way you'll get to your destination, and not be stuck with thousands of others attempting to get to your destination on the few available seats.

The problem is that there is only 1 other carrier (Jetstar) and I don't know if they use the same maintenance staff at Queenstown. They also don't offer fully refundable fares (only vouchers and I don't have any other planned personal intra-NZ travel in next 12 months).
 
My plan B is to book a turboprop flight (fully refundable) from Queenstown to WLG as a back-up as apparently their maintainers are in a different union.

You're correct, the turboprop flights are not affected.

I've just bit the bullet and spent $6,200 on two fully refundable Y tickets SYD-LAX. I guess at least if I have to use them (and pay $300 more each for flying VA Y over NZ PE), I'll earn about 70k points between double points bonus, VA Gold bonus, and family pooling. And I'll easily requalify for VA Gold for 2020 with the Delta Comfort+ US flights. Trying to find a silver lining... :rolleyes:
 
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The strikes have been called off, according to NZ media reports. Turns out the unions may have overestimated public support for their cause too.
 
The strikes have been called off, according to NZ media reports. Turns out the unions may have overestimated public support for their cause too.
Great news (although this was hardly mentioned in the news today - which was strange). One less thing to worry about!
 
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