Personally I believe that it is absolutely DISGRACEFUL that the pilots found it
necessary to have to take strong industrial action over a
SAFETY ISSUE - and previously agreed upon by
Aer Lingus - to bring the problem to a head.
Surely the airline cannot be so short of pilots, that for roster and scheduling requirements, they found it necessary to reduce the STANDARD rest period. Not just once or twice, in a short period of time, but more than half a dozen.
It almost appears to have been a concerted campaign!
However, even more DISGRACEFUL, and with
total disregard for Aer Lingus and its customers, were the selfish, irresponsible actions of (some) management in shutting down operations for NO APPARENT REASON, other than the flexing of their management-muscle power.
If it were the US, I'm sure that some pilots, and their families would be looking at suing for the stress created!
There may YET be repercussions and claims from customers who were disadvantaged by these ill-thought-out tactics.