We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
AER LINGUS AND trade union Impact will attend talks at the at the Labour court this morning in an attempt to settle a long-running dispute over rosters.
Talks fell through on Friday after Impact, which is representing cabin crew workers, claimed management at Aer Lingus had offered them a ‘take it or leave it’ proposal.
However, the airline strenuously denied that talks had collapsed, stating it was willing to continue discussions.
Following several pleas from Minister for Transport for both parties to take advantage of the State’s industrial relations machinery, the parties will now meet at the Labour Relations Court (LRC) later this morning.
Public interest
The LRC, under legislation that allows the court to intervene in a case that is in the public interest, invited both parties to take part in talks.
However, strike action planned for later this month has not been called off, planned for June 16 and 18.
The dispute centres around rostering patterns for cabin crews.
They argue the current system does not give them adequate time for rest after long flights, and have pleaded for a system of five days on and three days off to be introduced.
The talks today have been welcomed by the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA), who believe further strikes would “once again put unfair inconvenience and additional costs onto the consumers”.
CEO Pat Dawson said:
“We hope that both parties will enter the negotiations with an open mind and that they will work in unison to resolve this issue in a manner that is satisfactory for all involved.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Should be plenty of P45s going out in this morning’s post. Have a clear out and start again. Aer Lingus offer an excellent product and should keep doing so without this nonsense.
They offer flights. But will they fly or won’t they fly. That’s an excellent product alright.
I hope the two comes to terms. I’m sure it’s wishful thinking, but it would be nice if Aer Lingus took a good look at its office staff and management structure. There are great opportunities for saving money.
Also, a major issue that stands out is that the flight crew are managed by people who have no experience or understanding of their jobs. Decisions are made for this group of people without true representation.
This I believe is major oversight.
Many believe the job is easy. But it’s not.
I completely agree. Air travel is always glamourous…until you do it. After one flight (especially long haul) I’m wrecked so to do it day after day is not easy.
As a passenger siting in one spot, yes it’s boring as you’re trying to kill time. Cabin crew have plenty to do so time flies (no pun).
All jobs have long hours, in an office in the private sector, it’s not uncommon to have people doing 12 hr days (with no overtime). Aer Lingus cabin crew get looked after well enough hence why the hours they work are not illegal. I hope mgt don’t back down
Hard for the staff to stomach millers salary and pension while everything else is run on a shoe string
Make it interesting and productive for our country please.
Send Michael o leary.
Exactly he’d sort them out.they’re acting like a bunch of spoilt kids
Michael O’Leary isn’t the answer to everything in this country. I’ve heard him touted as a possible Finance minister aswell.
Difference between Ryanair and AL is that Ryanair offer a service that is much like getting on a bus, get on get off. Staff on 0 hour contracts and mostly let go every 9 months so they’ve no rights. This is not the way we should be going for any company.
What the AL staff were striking for was reasonable as management wouldn’t listen to them for 3 or 4 years and management also refused to abide by LRC rulings which could happen again today. The idea for the unions 5+3 roster wasn’t even on the ballot paper and most staff only found out about that when they turned up to strike.
Did the staff not know what they were signing up for when they took the job in the first place? Not a secret its a very unsociable career and not family friendly for those in it….
I certainly hope they get it sorted out or my flight arrangements next Wednesday will have to be changed. Uncertainty…what a wonderful thing.
i am currently the same, i do not know what is gonna happen with my fights next Wednesday but i hope to get going on hols
I have worked in various roles in aviation including an airline, The majority of people who sign up for these jobs know that there is unsociable hours etc involved.
Sometimes an aircraft might go tech etc causing delays for everyone concerned, From catering fueling & ground crews it’s the norm and you expect it now and then.
Either EI or Impact should publish the current roster and the proposed roster, So people can make their minds up on which party is taking the mick.
I use to work for a UK PLC logistics company who decided to call their drivers anytime between 8 & 10 pm, To inform them of the start time for work the following day the majority of start times was 2 am.
I refused to start at 2 am due to safety of myself and other road users, Since the down turn I have noticed companies and agencies scheduling staff on a daily basis.
There needs to be a work life balance as for Mol he has done a good job at FR, but has anyone asked him about pilots going on stand by for the day without getting paid and cabin crew required to be at the airport on stand by.
So have the flights for the 16th and 18th been cancelled or just the ability to book for these dates?
have your say