24/02/2010

Jobs Crash At Aer Lingus

Some 1,100 workers at Aer Lingus could be facing compulsory redundancies as the airline puts together a massive cost saving contingency plan.

The plan by the part state owned carrier is expected to come into force if staff reject a ballot on the restructuring deal that was agreed with unions earlier this year to achieve some €97 million in savings.

Aer Lingus Chief Executive Christoph Mueller is believed to have briefed his management team to prepare 'Plan B' to secure the required cost savings through compulsory redundancies and a significant fleet reduction.

Unions at the firm have already admitted they face a "hard sell" as they ballot members on the management agreed plan that will result in 676 redundancies, pay cuts of up to 10% and a three-year pay freeze.

Aer Lingus originally set a target of 18 November to reach agreement on the cost-reduction package.

The workforce of more than 3,000 is balloting on the cost-saving plan this week, although results are not expected until early next month.

(DW/BMcc)

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