Union blames Aer Lingus for upcoming industrial action

Aer Lingus passengers are facing disruption next month after talks between SIPTU and management at the airline broke down last night.

SIPTU says industrial action is inevitable and is likely to take place in early November.

Spokesperson Dermot O'Loughlin says the airline has left workers with no alternative after failing to resolve the dispute involving workers' pensions.

"The critical issue here is that they are not putting any meaningful initiatives or finances to try and resolve this," said O'Loughlin.

"They are basically saying that they can only come up with a certain amount of monies, the reality of it is that it has been historically underfunded for many, many years.

"But even more importantly … if Aer Lingus were prepared to go to the Labour Court, there wouldn't be industrial action."

It is thought that talks are continuing with the Dublin Airport Authority, however.

Aer lIngus issued a statement last night expressing disppointment at the breakdown in talks.

"The LRC informed Aer Lingus this evening that they were adjourning indefinitely the pension discussions between Aer Lingus and the union groups," the statement read.

"Aer Lingus is disappointed at the lack of progress in the LRC today.

"Aer Lingus believes that today’s discussions have been overshadowed and hampered by an interpretation by union groups that a proposal targeting '85% of final incomes' has been agreed with the DAA.

"It has been confirmed to Aer Lingus directly by the DAA that the proposal under discussion with union groups does not target any such pension coverage level.

"We encourage the union groups and the DAA to resume their discussions to clarify their positions.

"We continue to seek to achieve a fair outcome that improves the pension prospects of affected IASS members in a way that will balance the interests of all parties including shareholders.

"Aer Lingus remains available to resume discussions with the union groups in order to reach a solution and believes that the LRC is the appropriate forum in which to achieve this solution."