The Labour Court has agreed to convene a meeting between Aer Lingus and the SIPTU trade union in their dispute, which threatens to disrupt travel plans for thousands of the airline's passengers on Friday. It is hoped the court's intervention will avert the one-day strike, which has resulted in the cancellation of all but the airline's transatlantic flights. Tomorrow, three flights from Dublin to Paris, Birmingham and Manchester have also been cancelled. Customers who hold reservations for flights should contact Aer Lingus and bookings on alternative dates will be arranged.
The dispute results from a pay claim submitted by SIPTU, which attempts to catch up with cabin crew increases. SIPTU has accused Aer Lingus of treating clerical and operative staff as second class citizens. Aer Lingus has described the action as damaging and without justification. So far talks to resolve the dispute have failed.
