Aer Lingus ‘to provide full service’

AER Lingus said last night it expects to provide service today for 20,000 passengers who are booked on 200 flights following the lifting of a threatened 24-hour strike by cabin crew.

However, crew members are continuing a campaign the company claims is in breach of working agreements.

The airline condemned the Impact union for failing to end all industrial action while it was considering a recommendation issued by Labour Court chairman Finbarr Flood at the weekend.

A spokesman said the union’s decision to subject Aer Lingus and its customers to the threat of disruption was “unprecedented and inexplicable”.

Impact, which represents cabin crews who recently escalated a series of work-to-rule actions begun on September 1, said it was seeking clarification of a Labour Court recommendation that both sides should continue negotiations.

Noting that negotiations were close to completion, the court recommended cabin crews to co-operate for three months during which the effect on their working conditions would be monitored.

Impact said the court had recommended the 4% increase under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness national pay deal and 3% under the current Sustaining Progress national award be paid from the dates claimed by the union.

A spokesperson for the airline said the Aer Lingus board would consider the Labour Court recommendation at its regular monthly meeting on Thursday and then give its response.

The dispute centres on work practice changes including a 25-minute turnaround between flights. The company says the changes are essential for payment of the last 4% under the PPF.

The union said the court recorded that no cabin crew member would lose current meal breaks, and that it was not possible to give crews extra duties.