Aer Lingus union wants LRC to step in

Morning Ireland: Christophe Mueller, Aer Lingus Chief Executive, says there is no indication of industrial action forthcoming
Morning Ireland: Christina Carney, IMPACT Assistant National Secretary, says that cabin crew are not seeking special treatment
News At One: Ingrid Miley, Industry &amp;amp; Employment Correspondent, reports that Aer Lingus has confirmed the job cuts and change of working conditions for remaining employees
One News: Ingrid Miley, Industry &amp;amp; Employment Correspondent, reports that the airline has decided to tackle its financial predicament head-on

Wednesday, 10 March 2010 18:09

The IMPACT trade union, which represents Aer Lingus cabin crew, is asking the Labour Relations Commission to reconvene to try to resolve the row over threatened compulsory redundancies at the airline.

But Aer Lingus has said it has no mandate from the board to enter further negotiations with cabin crew. A spokesperson for Aer Lingus said that after four months in the Labour Relations Commission, there was nothing left to negotiate.

Last week, cabin crew rejected the company's €97m cost reduction plan. 230 staff now face compulsory redundancy with only the bare legal minimum statutory payment.

There have never been compulsory redundancies at Aer Lingus - but that is about to change. All 1,000 cabin crew will be made compulsorily redundant in 30 days' time. While 230 will lose their jobs, the remainder will be offered immediate re-employment on new contracts with lower pay and conditions.

Among those to be laid off are the senior 'cabin manager' grade - which will be eliminated to reduce management layers. Cabin crew will receive only the bare legal minimum redundancy - two weeks pay per year of service.

Aer Lingus is currently in a 30-day consultation period and has not confirmed exactly when staff will start leaving the company. IMPACT described the Aer Lingus announcement this morning at brutal, targeted and unfair.

Assistant general secretary Christina Carney said the measures looked very much like a form of retribution against cabin crew for rejecting the proposals. IMPACT wants the LRC to reconvene the parties to try to find a mutual solution.