10/11/2008

Aer Lingus Strike Action Notice Served

Siptu will serve Aer Lingus with a strike notice today after last week's vote over the airline's proposed cost-cutting plan.

The airline has recently put forward proposals that could see up to 1,500 jobs being outsourced to other firms as part of their planned €74 million in cuts.

The union has warned that passengers face major disruption in the run-up to Christmas unless a new process is found to deal with the dispute.

However, the company's Chief Executive Dermot Mannion said the airline's job cuts through out-sourcing, voluntary redundancy or early retirement was now unstoppable.

Overall, the company was facing operating losses this year and further significant operating losses next year, he said.

During last weeks talks with trade unions on the matter, airline representatives walked out of the discussions and threatened to press ahead with the cost cuts before Christmas.

Meanwhile, Rome airport was closed this morning after a Ryanair flight from Frankfurt suffered both engine and undercarriage problems.

The aircraft was evacuated using emergency chutes as it came to a halt at the end of the main runway at Rome where there was a full emergency response.

No one is reported to be injured.

(DW)(BMcC)

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