AER LINGUS and the trade union Impact have said the dispute involving cabin crew at the airline is now resolved following a binding arbitration issued yesterday by the chief executive of the Labour Relations Commission, Kieran Mulvey.
Impact said as part of the settlement, anti-family measures which had been contained in original cabin crew rosters drawn up unilaterally by the company had now been removed.
The company said it was confident that rosters now being operated by cabin crew would deliver the increase in flying hours to 850 per year which was required under a cost-saving plan.
As part of the resolution cabin crew who cannot be facilitated to have meal breaks on short-haul services – one of the main issues raised by the union in the dispute – will receive financial compensation. It is understood that in such circumstances staff will receive seven “credits” which can be exchanged for cash at just under €5 each.
In other changes introduced duty hours cannot be altered by more than two hours on the day of duty – the situation that existed prior to the introduction of the controversial rosters by management.
As part of the settlement terms:
Duties cannot be changed by more than three hours on the day before the rostered shift;
Duties cannot be changed from short-haul to long-haul on the day of duty;
Controversial “double” shifts – flights to and from a destination on two occasions in a day – will not be imposed, but will be rostered on a voluntary basis. There are guarantees that no individual will have to work a disproportionate number of “doubles” if there are insufficient volunteers;
Cabin crew can once again request one weekend off every two months. They will also be prioritised for weekends off at the start of their annual leave, which is a new benefit;
The company has been asked to plan rosters with the objective of ensuring eight days off per month;
Any move to introduce a measure requiring cabin crew to work 26 days away from base will be on a strictly voluntary basis;
Management will work to ensure that meal breaks are facilitated on short-haul flights and will give a monetary compensation in cases where this is not possible;
An agreed system to allow crew to “bid” for their preferred shifts will be introduced
Much of the agreement was reached in direct talks between management and the union at talks at the Labour Relations Commission last week. However, the issue of the eight days off per roster period and issues in relation to staff being in reserve at home were referred to Mr Mulvey.
Impact official Christina Carney said the deal had been received very positively at mass meetings of cabin crew in Dublin, Shannon and Cork over the last few days.
“This means that cabin crew are again able to plan their family responsibilities while carrying out a demanding career to the highest possible standards. It is the negotiated and arbitrated settlement that Impact always said was possible, and cabin crew are happy that they have stood together and achieved a good outcome.”