AER LINGUS is to cancel 24 flights today because of the dispute with cabin crew over rosters. Most of the services affected are from Dublin to destinations in the UK and Europe.
However, two transatlantic services, from Dublin to New York and to Orlando, have been cancelled, as has a flight from Cork to Munich. Aer Lingus said passengers are being notified of flight cancellations and accommodated on other services. It also advised passengers to check its website for information.
Talks between management and the Impact trade union continued last night at the Labour Relations Commission. The dispute is in its third week.
Sources said the talks almost broke down yesterday afternoon but continued later. No agreement had been reached last night.
Aer Lingus yesterday held disciplinary meetings with seven cabin crew members previously taken off the payroll for refusing to operate controversial new rosters introduced unilaterally by the airline a fortnight ago.
The disciplinary meetings represent a further stage in a process which could see cabin crew sacked for refusing to operate the rosters.
More than 300 cabin crew members have been removed from the payroll by Aer Lingus for refusing to operate the new rosters.
Fine Gael’s transport spokesman Simon Coveney called on the airline and Impact to reach an agreement to end the dispute.
He also called on Minister for Transport Pat Carey to intervene. He said the Minister had a responsibility to speak up on behalf of the travelling public and put pressure on Aer Lingus to end the dispute.
“As I have said many times during this dispute, the travelling public is being treated with disregard and disrespect by an airline whose successful history has been based largely on customer service. It’s about time we saw Aer Lingus prioritising its customers by putting an end to a long-standing dispute and making the talks work today,” said Mr Coveney.