Unions face new class of competition with this chief

WHEN he addressed reporters on his drastic cost-cutting plans for the airline, new Aer Lingus chief executive Christoph Mueller used the type of efficient terminology that is the hallmark of his native Germany.

“We would like to avoid compulsory redundancies under all circumstances. But if we cannot reach an agreement on the cost level proposed, the following circle of events will impact. We will be forced to take out further production. Most will be long haul but I cannot exclude short haul aircraft will be affected.”

The message to staff was simple. Sign up or we start dropping more aircraft. Given that up to 90 people lose their jobs for every long haul flight stopped, the implied threat was clear. The most skilled trade union activists who have fought and, many would say, won successive battles with management at the former national airline in recent years are facing a whole new class of competition with Herr Mueller.