Who is bankrolling these management "strike-backs"?
I can`t believe that there are a few managers in each airline, who hate pilots' unions so much that they're willing to sink the company that provides them and their families with an income, on the gamble that they will be successful in reducing pilot salaries by an effective amount, after losing hundreds of millions in the preceding "War".
Certainly the actions that Aer Lingus are taking are new ground - unless they plan on roughly following the 1989 Australian dispute, which was a financial DISASTER for ALL 4 companies involved - even WITH Government support.
A quick precis of the events for those who are unfamiliar:
i) Pilots take limited action (0900-1700 work);
ii) After 5 days, companies stand all pilots down, and cease airline operations;
iii) Pilots' union (AFAP) is declared "irrelevant" by the companies, and they refuse to talk with AFAP negotiators;
iv) Companies issue individual, personal, writs for "unspecified damages (for flight cancellations) on those pilots who were rostered to fly before 0900 and after 1700, and who didn't;
v) Pilots are advised (by QC's) to resign, to avoid further liabilities;
vi) Companies then offer Individual Contracts to pilots;
vii) The "candy" is seniority will be based on "first back = most senior", regardless of previous rank, type, and time in company (hence many junior F/O's became "senior (scab) captains";
viii) Advertise vacancies.
Perhaps Australians were too gentlemanly in their dispute, and expected the companies to play by the Marquis of Queensberry Rules. they didn't!!
Irish have a tough reputation - a Kiss of the Blarney Stone might well deter scabs more than the many ads placed in newspapers and magazines!!
Finally, without sounding boorish (I hope), one of the MOST effective weapons in the Australian episode were the leaflets (YOU ARE ABOUT TO FLY WITH A SCAB PILOT) handed out at airports to potential travellers.
They are cost effective, target the people directly affected, get YOUR message across, and attract media interest. The message is SAFETY - the people most affected and at risk are the travelling pax.
Good Luck!