Aer Lingus unions threaten strike over cuts

AER LINGUS unions yesterday upped the pressure on the airline’s management by balloting for industrial action and threatening to strike if the planned 1,300 job cuts are forced through.

SIPTU, which represents half of Aer Lingus workers, fired a warning shot at management that no changes can be made without proper consultation with staff.

Following a meeting yesterday of up to 100 Aer Lingus shop stewards from Dublin, Cork and Shannon, the union said it is holding a protective ballot for industrial action over the next fortnight to ensure it can take immediate action if the airline management attempts to enforce job cuts or any other changes unilaterally.

The meeting also decided to put a resolution to the union’s 2,000 members in Aer Lingus not to co-operate with any redundancy proposals unless there is an overall agreement on any future plans for the company.

The aggressive and militant stance taken by the union came as a surprise and is regarded as a sign that workers are determined not to let management, led by Aer Lingus chief executive Willie Walsh, implement cost-cutting changes before the details are fully hammered out and agreement is reached.

The escalation is seen as a signal of intent as it was expected no action would be taken until union chiefs were presented with a final version of the three-year plan aimed at pitching Aer Lingus against Ryanair in the low-fare flights market.

During previous restructuring in the wake of the crisis sparked by September 11, management offered voluntary redundancies and implemented work practice changes far quicker than anticipated.

The shop stewards were briefed on the company’s proposals to cut 1,325 jobs and decided to strengthen links with other Aer Lingus unions to ensure a unified approach to deal with the cost-cutting measures.

While the union said it had already demonstrated its willingness to co-operate with change where necessary, SIPTU national industrial secretary Michael Halpenny said it was unclear from discussions with management why such drastic action was required that would affect the livelihoods of so many people.

“Management appears to be in a great hurry, but have not been able to explain to us, so far, why they are in such a rush,” he said.

Warning that the workers will not accept compulsory redundancies or being forced into any other changes, Mr Halpenny said union leaders were adamant there will be no plan without the agreement of the workforce. The initial reaction from all unions to the business plan has been overwhelmingly negative.