Trade unions have condemned as 'unacceptable' the Aer Lingus decision to implement an immediate pay freeze for its employees, until the airline's €20m cost cutting plan is accepted.
Aer Lingus Chief Executive Dermot Mannion said the time for talks about talks was over, and he hoped the pay freeze decision will not spark industrial action.
IMPACT said it has been fully engaged in the Labour Court process, which is working towards a conclusion to the outstanding issues.
The union said it rejected as 'misleading' the airline's statement that these avenues have already been exhausted.
IMPACT said the Aer Lingus announcement represented a deliberately provocative approach, and added that its branch committees will meet as soon as possible to determine the most appropriate response.
President of SIPTU, Jack O'Connor, described the Aer Lingus decision as 'blackmail'.
Dermot Mannion wrote to all staff informing them of the airline's intention to implement a pay freeze.
In the letter he said the pay increases allowed for in the 'Towards 2016' deal will only be paid on implementation of previous Labour Court rulings.
The remaining 5% increases under 'Towards 2016' and the annual 2.5% rise will not be paid until further notice.
