Aer Lingus Cancels 20 Flights

Embattled airline Aer Lingus has cancelled 20 flights today as the dispute with cabin crew over rosters worsens.

The flights affected are mainly to British and European destinations with a service to Boston tomorrow would also suspected to be grounded.

The airline cancelled 20 services, including 10 return flights, yesterday as the dispute rages on despite the best efforts of business groups and union leaders.

Yesterday, Aer Lingus Management and trade union representatives resumed negotiations at the Labour Relations Commission, following a positive statement from the Aer Lingus management welcoming input from employers group IBEC and the Irish union umbrella group ICTU.

The statement said: "The company participated in a detailed and constructive meeting this morning in relation to the dispute. We remain committed to the achievement of the 850 flying hours agreed under the Greenfield Restructuring Programme. We will continue to engage within the IBEC/ICTU recommended process with a view to achieving a speedy resolution."

The trade union Impact, who is negotiating on behalf of the cabin crew said yesterday morning that it too remained committed to finding a resolution to the dispute despite the talks breaking up on Friday without agreement.

Today's announcement of further flight cancellations suggests that negotiations are not moving forward as quickly as was hoped.

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 yesterday that 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 on Friday that bookings had started to suffer as result of the row. Aer Lingus has been leasing aircraft and crew from other airlines, including rival Ryanair, whose controversial Chief Executive Michael O'Leary has backed the tough actions taken by Aer Lingus management.

(DW)