WORKERS AT Aer Lingus in dispute with the company over cost-cutting plans have issued notice of industrial action in a move which could cause major disruption to flights in the pre-Christmas period.
Siptu shop stewards at the airline met in Dublin airport yesterday to set up strike committees to prepare for industrial action scheduled to begin on November 24th.
Labour's transport spokesman Tommy Broughan, who said that he would raise the matter in the Dáil today, called on Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey and his Government colleagues to utilise the State's industrial relations apparatus to avert the dispute.
"Given the results of Friday's Siptu ballot on strike action at the company, it is incumbent on the Minister to immediately facilitate meaningful discussions between staff representatives and management through the full industrial relations apparatus of the State or any other useful mechanism,'' Mr Broughan added.
"A strike in the busy pre-Christmas period is an appalling prospect for the travelling public.''
In a €74 million cost-cutting package, the airline wants to outsource ground operations, close cabin crew bases in Shannon and Heathrow, and use American crews on some transatlantic routes.
Siptu national industrial secretary Gerry McCormack wrote to the airline's chief executive Dermot Mannion yesterday formally notifying him of the threatened industrial action.
Mr McCormack said members had voted by an overwhelming majority to take action at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports if the company unilaterally attempted to introduce its plan for shedding 1,245 jobs. "This decision of our members in the Aer Lingus branch, Cork No 5 branch and Shannon aviation branch has now been sanctioned by the national executive of Siptu and you are hereby served with 14 days' official notice of same,'' Mr McCormack's letter stated.
Mr McCormack said his members had made every attempt so far to resolve the dispute procedurally, but the company had withdrawn from the talks process chaired by Kevin Foley of the Labour Relations Commission.
"It is our firm view that the actions of the company have brought about a completely avoidable situation,'' said Mr McCormack. "Our members are equally firmly of the view that, as a result of the company now proceeding to implement outsourcing/changing proposals, the industrial action/strike action will become unavoidable with all the consequent disruption and loss to the employees, customers and airline.''
He added that, in the interests of Siptu members, and indeed of Aer Lingus, his union was 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.
The threatened strike will add to the woes of Government backbenchers, particularly those based in north Dublin.
In a statement last night, Aer Lingus said it was very disappointed with Siptu's decision and "the uncertainty this has created for our customers".
However, it said, "it is important to point out that none of the 10 routes operated from Belfast International Airport will be affected by the threatened industrial action".
