Aer lingus unions call crisis meeting

A CRISIS meeting of Aer Lingus shop stewards has been called for next week after the airline announced it was giving just five more weeks for negotiations on new structures for its workers.

According to Siptu, which represents 1,800 Aer Lingus workers, the airline’s announcement of the August 1 deadline without any consultation with it was simply unacceptable; did not comply with company-worker agreements and did not give nearly sufficient time for successful negotiation.

Differences between Aer Lingus and unions on the proposed restructuring document PCI-07 almost led to strike action at the airline earlier this year. The strike was only averted because both sides agreed to talks on all the issues related to the changes.

The cost-cutting drive planned by the airline would lead to worker pay cuts, changes in conditions and working hours, holidays and overtime for the staff.

Michael Halpenny, Siptu national industrial secretary said: “At the shop stewards meeting, we will give the workers a full report of what the airline has done and we will let them decide what our next course of action will be.”

Aer Lingus said it intends to meet with Siptu next week about the August 1 deadline. It said it already has a meeting organised for Monday with Impact, the other trade union involved.