Sober Lark: "Can you give us an example of a European roster where you wouldn't have a meal break for up to 11 hours. Also, how long is a meal break?"
An easy one would be DUB-LHR-DUB-LHR-DUB. 4 sectors, scheduled sector length is 1,15. Total duty time is usually 9 hours where 5 count as block hours. Flights are short and usually quite busy so crew are not able to sit down in an area 'seperated from flight deck and passenger cabin' as mandated by Eu Ops.
Previously EI would roster one of the turnarounds to be 55 minutes to allow time for the 30 minute break. Crew often didn't take a break if running late to get home on or around schedule. EI permitted crew to take break at other turnarounds depending on the operational needs on the day. But they point was that they were permitted a break if they needed it.
The LRC document advised to keep meal breaks of 30 minutes but to have then more flexible. The union took this to mean breaks onboard/inflight for longer European flights while the shorter more hectic flights (AMS/CDG/LHR etc) had the break on the ground. EI didn't respond to a request in September from the union for a list of flights to get breaks on turnarounds.
Of course on a DU-TFS-DUB duty it would be no problem to take a break inflight. The union wanted a clear definition of when to take breaks. the company has no responded with a section in the new rules that states "On flight duties over 6 hours you are entitled to a meal" No mention of be entitled to a 'break'. And cabin crew (and flight deck) are exempt from the Working Time Act as their place of work is legally classified as a vehicle not a workplace under Irish legislation.
In relation to the question of the union statements I will stand by their veracity. At the same time you have EI claiming the new rules are 'approved by outside bodies'. They nicely ignore the paragraph in the LRC arbitration that states that 'further changes may be required. These shall be identified and implemented following a 3 month review by the LRC." No such review or suggestion has taken place to date.