[Article] Potential Aer Lingus strike

Victor

http://home.eircom.net/content/unison/national/2515467?view=Eircomnet

Aer Lingus pilots to vote on industrial action
From:The Irish Independent
Wednesday, 11th February, 2004
Gerald Flynn Industrial Correspondent

AER Lingus pilots are to ballot on whether to opt for strike action in a row over 46 pilots who have been idle for the past four months.

And today cabin crew leaders will meet to decide whether to vote for industrial action over the compulsory transfer of 25 staff from Shannon to Dublin.

The latest wave of industrial strife at the State carrier could lead to strike notice being served later this month, the spark appearing to be management moves to re-allocate staff and potentially select some for compulsory redundancy.

Impact aviation chief, Michael Landers, whose union represents both pilots and cabin crew, said Aer Lingus management had a record of miscalculating staff requirements.

This had led to overtime requirements and a backlog of unused annual leave for many staff, he said.

Victor

http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0213/aerlingus.html

Aer Lingus pilots threaten strike
February 13, 2004

(17:20) Pilots at Aer Lingus have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action over fears that some may be made redundant.

95% of pilots voted to back strike action over plans to redeploy and retrain 46 pilots who have been without work and on full pay for the last four months.

A spokesperson for the union IMPACT said they will be notifying the airline of the ballot outcome.

He said no date had been set for any industrial action; however, he warned that if the company moves to impose compulsory redundancies or unilaterally break existing agreements the pilots will take industrial action.

Victor

http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0224/aerlingus.html

Aer Lingus crew votes for strike action
February 24, 2004

(18:28) Cabin crew at Aer Lingus have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action in a row over compulsory relocation of 29 staff from Shannon to Dublin.

It is understood that over 93% of staff voted for strike action.

Meanwhile, the Labour Relations Commission has invited Aer Lingus management and union representatives for cabin crew and pilots to meet on Friday morning in a bid to resolve their differences.

Pilots had also voted for industrial action two weeks ago amid fears that the airline planned to make some pilots compulsorily redundant.

Forty-six pilots have been on full pay with no work since Aer Lingus sold off a number of aircraft which were surplus to requirements.