Striking Aer Lingus crew 'could be removed from payroll'

Cabin crew at Aer Lingus have been warned that they could be removed from the payroll if they go ahead with industrial action next week.

Staff are planning to begin a work-to-rule from Monday morning in protest at new rosters being imposed by the airline.

Management at Aer Lingus wrote two letters today, one to the general secretary of the trade union IMPACT and another to cabin crew, warning that it will not tolerate any failure by staff to work the new roster system.

It says that if industrial action begins on Monday morning, staff could be immediately removed from the payroll and ultimately dismissed.

The company also threatens to withdraw sick leave benefit and staff travel privileges.

The airline insists that the new rosters are in line with the findings of a binding arbitration process.

And Aer Lingus rules out any discussions with IMPACT if the trade union continues to apparently refuse to accept that the arbitration is binding.