Aer Lingus flights are getting back to normal following a resolution of the three-week-old dispute between cabin crew and management.
The IMPACT trade union - which represents cabin crew - has agreed to suspend industrial action, pending the outcome of a binding Labour Relations Commission arbitration on two outstanding issues.
The talks between Aer Lingus and cabin crew members of the IMPACT trade union resumed on Monday after being suspended last weekend. Efforts to resolve the dispute involving cabin crew and management had been continuing at the Labour Relations Commission this week, with talks running until about 11pm each night.
Yesterday negotiations resumed shortly after noon, and ran through the night. But after 20 hours of non-stop talks, a breakthrough emerged this morning.
Cabin crew will be restored to normal duties and payroll pending the outcome of a binding Labour Relations Commission arbitration. IMPACT will suspend industrial action pending that outcome, which the union says is expected soon.
Aer Lingus says it made concessions on issues relating to the quality of life of staff, including the timing of meals, and time off.
The airline says, however, that there might be disruption to flights today, as talks have just finished, and passengers are advised to check the Aer Lingus website.
Speaking last night, the chief executive of Aer Lingus said he was confident that the dispute which has disrupted flights for almost three weeks can be solved.
Addressing a dinner of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce last night, Christoph Mueller apologised for inconvenience caused to passengers.
However, he said there were some employees who simply could not agree to new conditions which the airline had offered. He added that if the airline could not find a general solution, it would have to do so on an individual basis.
He said it had always been his prevailing principle to respect the individual and honour individual needs.
He said that in respect to the individual - and without hard feelings - a company, like a family and a community, has some democratic principles.
He said they could not endanger 'the whole species' in holding up progress, saying the company would have to move forward.
