The Labour Court has recommended significant changes in work practices for Aer Lingus staff to achieve cost cuts at the airline. But it recommends that staff should be compensated for loss of earnings or annual leave.
In a recommendation released to management and unions, Labour Court chairman Kevin Duffy said he was satisfied that the current circumstances of the company warranted measures to bring about further cost savings and efficiencies.
But he said that where loss of holidays or earnings result from the new measures, fair and reasonable compensation should be paid. That compensation should be the subject of further negotiations to be completed within four weeks.
To cut leave costs, the court recommends that staff who currently get 26 or more days annual leave per year should relinquish two days. Staff entitled to 23, 24 or 25 days should relinquish one day.
There will also be diminution of entitlements to days off in lieu - particularly for staff with fewer than five years of service.
The court also recommends greater flexibility in shift arrangements and the elimination of the current practice of working through breaks and finishing early. The company will also be free to establish new foreign bases, with pay at local market rates.
Some issues will be subject to further negotiation over the next two to four weeks.
In a criticism of management, Mr Duffy said that the company's decision to depart from agreed conditions of employment without agreement was inconsistent with the spirit and the letter of existing collective agreements.
SIPTU's national industrial secretary Michael Halpenny said the union would give the Labour Court recommendation full consideration. He said its disputes committee would meet later today to discuss the document.
In a statement, Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion welcomed the Labour Court's 'input', saying the airline looked forward to 'the resolution of all outstanding issues in a timely manner'.
