Aer Lingus staff set to defer strike plan
The shop stewards are to meet this morning to discuss proposals outlined at yesterday’s eight-hour meeting between unions and management, which was overseen by the National Implementation Body.
The NIB recommended that both sides spend the next two weeks listing grievances and concerns, after which time a suitably qualified person would subject the concerns to a detailed analysis.
The same person would also look at the financial implication for staff of Aer Lingus’ proposed €20 million cost-cutting plan.
If both sides accept the recommendations they will meet again at Government Buildings on November 28. The NIB hopes a settlement can be reached by December 3.
Aer Lingus promised its shareholders it will finalise cost-cutting plans by the end of next month.
Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion said the discussions had led to a firm basis for solid interaction with all unions involved.
SIPTU national industrial secretary Michael Halpenny said: “We’re satisfied that sufficient progress has been made in discussions with the NIB to bring back its proposals to our shop stewards.
“One of the major causes of concern was the position of contract workers, which is addressed, along with other key issues, in the process being proposed by the NIB.”
SIPTU, IMPACT and the Craft Group of Unions have complained that Aer Lingus management wants to withhold wage increases due under Towards 2016 and pay scale increments due in April 2008.
However, the company says it is operating in a highly competitive and volatile environment and its commercial future depends on its ability to develop new services on a competitive and sustainable basis.
Meanwhile, the Labour Court is trying to find a solution to the dispute at Dublin Bus which has affected more than 60,000 passengers a day.
It has invited unions and management to talks this weekend in the hope of resolving the three-day dispute.
The dispute broke out at the Harristown depot, which provides services to the north and west of the city.
The problem centres on the introduction of two new routes from the depot.
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