As a result of Aer Lingus introducing new rosters and the refusal of many of the airline’s cabin crew to accept the new harsher working conditions, the national airline is now down more than 300 staff.
The new rosters were introduced on 17 January and the ongoing dispute is now in its third week with no sign of ending soon. Those staff refusing to work according to the new rules have found themselves removed from duty.
Talks between Aer Lingus management and the union IMPACT, who are representing the staff, are back on today at the Labour Relations Commission.
Disgruntled staff point to the fact that the new roster means that staff could end up working 11 hours with no meal breaks and that cabin crew could spend as many as 26 consecutive days away from home.
For their part, Aer Lingus have stated that for the company to operate cost effectively and to run a full schedule of flights, cabin crew need to work a target of 850 hours per year. The new rosters have staff working 830 hours per year, whereas previous rosters amounted to 700 hours per year.
Changes to rosters come amid a range of sweeping new rules that Aer Lingus insist are necessary for the airline’s future survival.
Crew are no longer to be eligible for one weekend off in every eight and they can be informed of a change to their hours of work up to three hours before being expected to report for duty.
The amount of time permitted for rest for transatlantic flights has been cut in half from 24 to 12 hours.
Meanwhile, the under-pressure airline are currently recruiting for someone to take on the job of Internal Communications Specialist. The job would involve keeping a good line of communication going between management and staff. As things stand, the new recruit will have their work cut out.
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