Aer Lingus Crew Warn Of 'Responsive Action'

Aer Lingus cabin crew are warning management responsive action will be taken if management attempt to discipline them during their work-to-rule action tomorrow.

The cabin crew said they could resort to the withdrawal of labour completely if the airline attempts to take action against those involved in the industrial protest.

Management issued a warning last week against staff that they would face disciplinary measures, up to dismissal, if they proceeded with a work-to-rule over new rosters.

The cabin crew who belong to the Impact union said they will be working to rule from tomorrow and are refusing to work new rosters, which the airline says are compliant with a recent arbitration ruling.

However, serving their notice last week, the union claimed Aer Lingus senior management had abandoned the original agreement with cabin crew over the implementation of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) arbitration report into flight time increases and rosters.

A union representative said: "There have been some differences between the union and the airline about the implementation of some aspects of the report. On Monday October 4, the union reached an agreement with the HR department of the airline to suspend some of the disputed working arrangements. This was in order to facilitate discussions on how those differences could be resolved.

"However, it is understood that other senior management figures subsequently rejected this agreement."

The Cabin Crew branch committee said it therefore had no option but to serve seven days notice of industrial action to the company, following the ballot for industrial action taken by cabin crew last August.

The union instructed cabin crew not to work on a free day and to take full meal breaks when they are due.

Impact has also instructed members not to work on the Washington/Madrid route.

Both the airline and IMPACT have said they do not expect disruption to flight services with Aer Lingus saying they have put contingency measures in place.

(DW/KMcA)