Oceania (Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific) - Air Tahiti Nui Files Strike Notice for Mon. June 27

Air Tahiti Nui has filed a strike notice. If grievances are not negotiated away before then, the TN strike is scheduled to being on Monday, June 27, at 0:00 h. (midnight Sunday).

http://www.air-journal.fr/2011-06-23-preavis-de-greve-chez-air-tahiti-nui-531692.html

Reported this morning by Radio New Zealand:

"Posted at 03:19 on 24 June, 2011 UTC

Flight crews at French Polynesia’s international carrier have threatened to go on strike on June the 27th amid five employment-related demands.

Air Tahiti Nui crews say they will oppose any abusive sackings to clear the way for pilots to be hired from outside.

The airline’s management says a strike warning at the start of the peak travel season is irresponsible, given that this comes amid a disciplinary procedure against two employees involved in a fight in a Japanese hotel.

The company says it has been established that the first blow was delivered by an American Airline employee but that the Air Tahiti Nui employees retaliated, leading to an altercation which has prompted the hotel to no longer wish to accommodate two of its staff.

A hearing on the Tokyo incident is due just hours after the start of the planned strike.

News Content © Radio New Zealand International
PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand"

http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=61399

Update on ATN-USA's Facebook page this morning:

"Air Tahiti Nui USA
We have been informed of a possible strike action but negotiations are underway. Should a strike occur, it will impact flights scheduled to operate from Tahiti from Monday, June 27th.
Flights from Los Angeles on Monday, or any time during this weekend, to Tahiti & Paris, are planned to operate as normal.
A further update will be provided by the end of the day today.

We sincerely apologize."

Although they state that only flights out of PPT will be affected at first, if incoming flights can't get repositioned, it won't take long for this strike to affect the whole schedule, as TN has only 5 planes.

Press release issued by ATN at noon on Saturday 6/25 (as translated by Google from French link below):

"Following the strike notice filed by the Cockpit of the company, the negotiations held so far have failed to reach agreement. If despite all efforts, the negotiations are not successful and that the strike became effective from Monday, June 27, the company would then make every effort to ensure the continuity of flights. Our primary focus is our customers and we will do our best to minimize disruption in case of change of the flight program because of this social movement. Information on these possible changes will be made ​​on Monday. The company wishes to apologize for the inconvenience to its customers."

http://www.tahiti-infos.com/Communique-de-AIR-TAHITI-NUI-25-juin-2011-12-00_a26525.html

Press release from ATN in PPT: http://www.tahiti-infos.com/Communique-Air-Tahiti-Nui-nouvel-horaire-pour-le-vol-TN08-Papeete-paris-de-dimanche-soir_a26560.html

Sunday night's TN 8 (PPT to LAX/CDG) has been rescheduled to leave at 11:00 p.m. (instead of 11:45 p.m.), presumably to avoid the midnight strike. Get to PPT airport early!

Just posted on ATN-USA website (flight disruption page):

Monday June 27th, 2011


Air Tahiti Nui has been informed by a number of its pilots of a strike situation. At this time ATN flights are operating on schedule, However a possibility of flight delay or disruption of up to 24 hours may exist. Should this occur, we will post this information as soon as it is confirmed.


We ask that you monitor our web site for up to date information or call 1 855 835 9286.


We apologize for any inconvenience.