THE POSSIBILITY of further serious industrial relations trouble at Aer Lingus re-emerged last night after about 1,800 Siptu members, who mainly work in ground operations, voted decisively to reject a deal on the introduction of new work practices.
Siptu said its members had voted by three to one to reject new work practice proposals that were put together at marathon talks between the union and airline management at the end of February.
Informed sources said that in some sections of the airline, particularly in Shannon airport, Siptu members voted nearly 100 per cent against the proposed deal.
The proposed deal, which involved greater mobility and flexibility on the part of staff, averted a possible strike in February which could have affected up to 20,000 passengers per day.
As part of the new work practice proposals, which the company believed would save up to €10 million per year largely through the avoidance of additional recruitment, staff would have been asked to work shifts of varying lengths.
Airline management would also have had the freedom to move personnel between duties, for example between check-in and boarding, in the course of a shift.
However, the deal secured existing pay levels for the staff, which had been a major issue for the trade union.
Management had also given a commitment that it would pay outstanding agreements due to staff under the national agreement, Towards 2016, once the new work practices were introduced.
The union said in a statement last night that it had put huge effort and resources into trying to secure agreement in the different local areas on cost-cutting measures. However, it also effectively placed the blame on management at the airline for the rejection of the deal by staff.
It said "the company's failure to produce workable rosters in line with the proposals has contributed significantly to the decision by our members to reject them".
An Aer Lingus spokesman said that the airline had "noted" the outcome of the Siptu ballot.
Management at the airline are expected to meet today to consider its options in the aftermath of the ballot result.
Siptu already has a mandate for industrial action in the event that the airline seeks to introduce the new work practice arrangements unilaterally.
Management had previously threatened to suspend staff from the payroll if they did not agree to co-operate with the introduction of the new work practices.
However, the company has already generated a significant level of the savings earmarked for this year by withholding pay increases due.
The €10 million savings sought by the company from Siptu's ground operations personnel - who include baggage handlers, check-in operatives and catering staff - formed about half of an overall cost reduction package it had promised investors to put in place this year.