Industrial action at Aer Lingus has been averted for the next fortnight after management agreed to give 1,800 ground staff, members of SIPTU, 10 days to re-ballot on controversial new productivity reforms.
The cost-cutting measures were emphatically rejected by staff in a ballot two weeks ago. Management then issued an ultimatum to the union giving staff until 5pm today to accept the deal or face the outsourcing of certain ground operations.
This afternoon, SIPTU contacted the airline seeking an extra 10 days to re-ballot members. The airline has acceded to that request and the ballot will be completed by Friday April 25.
The union's full shop stewards' committee will be recommending acceptance on the proposals which have had some amendments during an intensive consultation process over the last two weeks.
As yet, it is unclear whether the re-ballot will deliver a different result. Under SIPTU rules, if even one of the 14 grades rejects the proposals, they will be rejected in their entirety.
