Air New Zealand cabin crew launch second 48-hour strike

Airline Industry Information, July 21, 2005

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Air New Zealand cabin crew started the second of three planned 48-hour strikes on Thursday (21 July), disrupting the airline's long-haul services.

The strike involves about 1,000 members of the Flight Attendants and Related Services Association (FARSA), who are pressing for a 3.8% wage increase for each of the next three years. The airline has offered 3.3% for the first year, 3.4% for the second and 3.3% for the third year.

The action is expected to hit up to 90 flights, affecting up to 15,000 travellers, Air New Zealand has said. Services affected include flights to Asian destinations as well as some to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth in Australia, and flights through Pacific nations to Los Angeles.

The next two-day strike is planned to start on 24 July. Air New Zealand has said that the three strikes would cost it at least NZD4m.

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