Union Threatens Aer Lingus Strike Action At Dublin, Galway And Shannon

SIPTU shop stewards at Aer Lingus met this on Monday evening at Dublin airport following the service of strike notice on the airline for November 24.

They decided to set up strike committees in all locations to manage the dispute if the need arises.

National Industrial Secretary Gerry McCormack said after the meeting that he had informed shop stewards that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions had written to the Secretary General of the Taoiseach's Department Dermot McCarthy, asking for a meeting of the National Implementation Body (NIB) to seek a resolution to the dispute.

"We are available to attend a meeting if asked and we would urge the company to do so and help avert a potentially very damaging dispute," he said.

Earlier Mr. McCormack wrote to Aer Lingus Chief Executive Dermot Mannion notifying him of the decision by union members at the airline to take industrial action if the company attempts to implement its change plan to slash 1,245 jobs without agreement.

In the letter Mr. McCormack said members had voted 'by an overwhelming majority' to take action at all three airports, Dublin, Cork and Shannon.

Fourteen days official notice of industrial action was served. This provides for an all-out strike and for limited industrial action.

"We have made every attempt so far to resolve this dispute procedurally, however, the company withdrew from the talks process chaired by Mr. Kevin Foley of the Labour Relations Commission," Mr. McCormack said in his letter.

"It is our firm view that the actions of the company have brought about a completely avoidable situation.

"Our members are equally firmly of the view that as a result of the company now proceeding to implement its outsourcing/change proposals the industrial action/strike action will become unavoidable with all the consequent disruption and loss to the employees, customers and Airline.

"In the interests of our members, and indeed of Aer Lingus, we are urging the company even at this late stage to enter into meaningful discussions on possible alternatives through the NIB process as requested by the ICTU.," he concluded.