Aer Lingus Talks Resume At LRC

Aer Lingus Management and trade union representatives are to resume negotiations at the Labour Relations Commission today.

Trade union Impact said this morning that it remained committed to finding a resolution to the current dispute concerning cabin crew rosters, despite the talks breaking up on Friday without agreement.

According to the union, approximately 300 cabin crew have been removed from the payroll by Aer Lingus since the company brought in the new rosters almost two weeks ago.

Responding to the week's developments in the dispute, Fianna Fail TD Darragh O’Brien said there was no possibility of a resolution while Aer Lingus management refused to budge from its "unreasonable position".

"I was very disappointed, though not surprised, that the efforts of the Labour Relations Commission on Friday resulted in no progress whatsoever.

"The ongoing action of management has seen up to 300 members of cabin crew removed from the payroll over the rostering dispute. This action is affecting the workers, the airline's passengers and is threatening Aer Lingus' own future in my view."

TD O'Brien said he knew the Labour Relations Commission was examining the issue closely again today with a view to bringing the parties together.

"However if there is to be any hope of a resolution management must step back from the actions pursued over the last two weeks," he said.

Mr O'Brien added: "Ultimately what we need here is a permanent solution so that the airline and staff do not find themselves in a further stand-off that threatens the airline, the livelihoods of its employees and plunges passengers into uncertainty."

The airline said yesterday that bookings had started to suffer as result of the row. Aer Lingus has leased aircraft and crew from other airlines, including rival Ryanair, whose controversial Chief Executive Michael O'Leary has backed the tough actions of Aer Lingus management.

(DW)