AER LINGUS has hired aircraft from Ryanair and other airlines in an effort to operate a full flight schedule today as its dispute with cabin crew continues.
Aer Lingus said last night that more than 100 members of cabin crew, who are represented by the trade union Impact, had been taken off the payroll by management for refusing to operate controversial new rosters.
Impact said yesterday that it had submitted 28 discrimination claims to the director of the Equality Tribunal on behalf of cabin crew who had been removed from duties and payroll.
It said it had asked the tribunal to investigate claims that the company’s action may breach equality laws that ban discrimination on the grounds of family status and gender.
The union said the discrimination arose from the imposition of rosters which had greater impact on female staff and which made it impossible for staff to manage their family responsibilities.
Separately, it is understood that the pilots’ association Ialpa is to donate €100,000 to alleviate financial distress to cabin crew as a result of the dispute.
Yesterday Aer Lingus cancelled 34 flights to British and European destinations because of the dispute. The cancellations caused disruption to more than 2,600 passengers.
However, in a statement yesterday, Aer Lingus said that it hoped to operate a full service today.
“In an effort to ensure that we can operate a full schedule from tomorrow Friday, Aer Lingus has hired in aircraft from a number of carriers, including Ryanair.
“Our intention is to operate a full schedule from tomorrow and minimise further disruption to customers caused by this unnecessary dispute.”
Aer Lingus, which had by last night hired nine aircraft for today’s flights, had been seeking assistance when Ryanair made its offer.
Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary said that his company would be providing four or five aircraft at preferential rates to Aer Lingus.
“As a minority shareholder we are always here to help,” he said.
Asked whether Ryanair was offering a discount on the aircraft as a shareholder, Mr O’Leary said: “Yes, we are doing them at lower than market rates.”
Commenting on the dispute between cabin crew and Aer Lingus, Mr O’Leary said the company needed to win and win quickly. “If we can help in that process then we will help,” he said.
“This is a good time [January] to deal with them [the workers]. Clearly, the union are backtracking on a deal, as only a union can do.
“We’d like the company to resolve this as quickly as possible and with the minimum disruption as possible.”
He said the aircraft were available “straight away”. Pilots and cabin crew would also be offered under a process known as a “wet lease”.
Mr O’Leary described the arrangement as “routine” and noted how Ryanair had entered into similar arrangements previously with Aer Lingus and last year with British Airways.