EI Cabin Crew STRIKE
1200 Aer Lingus cabin crew to strike.
Aer Lingus cabin crew are to take full strike action on Thursday 23rd October and Monday 27th October in an escalation of their dispute over the company’s refusal to give pay increases due in October 2002 and July 2003.
The pay increases, worth seven per cent in total, have been paid to most Irish workers under two national agreements, the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness (PPF) and Sustaining Progress. But Aer Lingus refuses to pay, even though it is heading for record profits this year, and despite cabin crew agreeing to major productivity changes in exchange for the pay increases.
The strike decision, which was taken by IMPACT’s(tradeunion) cabin crew branch committee, follows five weeks of escalating work-to-rules, during which cabin crew worked to existing agreements. The union said that the regrettable disruption caused by the work-to-rules had shown how much Aer Lingus depends on cabin crew goodwill and flexibility to maintain its schedules.
Aer Lingus refused to compromise in talks and like a school yard bully has withdrawn ALL TRAVEL CONCESSIONS FOR CREW AND FAMILYS.
A Cabin crew official said: “Cabin crew have delivered massive productivity improvements against a background of substantial job losses over the last two years. At the same time they have endured a long-standing pay freeze and have agreed to further productivity changes in exchange for pay increases due over a year ago. We have shown our loyalty and commitment to Aer Lingus. Along with other Aer Lingus staff, cabin crew have saved the company from bankruptcy. Now that they are preparing to announce record profits, it’s time mean-minded management showed the same loyalty and commitment to its staff.”
Cabin crew have agreed to new changes in exchange for the pay increase But the union has accused Aer Lingus of constantly moving the goalposts in discussions on productivity. Its new demands, linked to a 25-minute turnaround for aircraft, would mean a predominantly female workforce working additional flights while losing meal breaks and money.
cabin crew regretted any disruption to passengers and clients of the airline. “Cabin crew are professionals dedicated to the safety and comfort of passengers. They have delivered massive change and, with other airline staff, they have brought Aer Lingus from the brink of bankruptcy to record profits. But every time we get close to agreement they put more demands on the table,”
Productivity contributed by Aer Lingus cabin crew 2001-2003
Reduced numbers of cabin crew on board all flights.
600 cabin crew redundancies
Voluntary lay off of Shannon cabin crew in winter
Loss of annual pay increments worth up to €850 a year, or €8,500 over ten years.
Deferral of 5.5 per cent pay increase under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.
Loss of one per cent lump sum due under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.
Four per cent PPF pay increase now one year overdue.
Cabin crew now start at 6.00am after two days off.
Cabin crew now finish duty at 11.00pm before two days off
Loss of one day’s annual leave.
Aer Lingus Cabin Crew also:
Routinely work for eight hours in a fortnight for no pay (over and above their contracted 35-hour week).
Work 7.35 hours before a meal break is due.
Often work with under-staffed crew to facilitate the schedule.
Often miss breaks, or take reduced breaks, to facilitate quick turnaround of delayed flights.
We ask for your support.
Many thanks way better!