Aer Lingus Cuts Jobs and Union Votes for Strike Action

Aer Lingus announce yesterday that they plan to axe as many as 1,500 jobs through outsourcing and redundancy as part of a €74 million cost-saving program, while the members of the SIPTU who are working for the airline have decided to vote for taking industrial action.

In response to management plans for outsourcing all operations on the ground, introducing a pay freeze, as well as lowering conditions and terms for other staff, Gerry McCormack, the SIPTU National Industrial Secretary, said that this represents a fire sale on good quality jobs from a management that can’t see further than the profit and loss sheets for the next quarter. The cabin crew base of Aer Lingus at the Heathrow Airport is set to close, but it has been reported that the hub of the company in the Belfast International Airport is not going to be affected.

A November 1st deadline has been made for the plan to be implemented. The board made a statement last Friday saying that the Aer Lingus Group plc Board agreed on Friday to proceed with the cost-saving program in order to deliver the significant savings that are essential for ensuring the long-term viability of the company as an independent carrier. The Board has decided that this fundamental change is necessary for the company to remain competitive and is positioned for taking advantage of growth opportunities in the future, it continued.

Talks were held last night between the union and management, but they have not been able to change the management’s view that the cuts are essential.

Find out more about Aer Lingus at www.aerlingus.com