Caterers and other Aer Lingus workers at Dublin airport could engage in some form of disruptive action today in pursuit of long-standing pay claims. Last Wednesday 1,400 clerical staff walked off the job for 90 minutes, causing a temporary suspension of flights, and baggage handlers, who have served two weeks' strike notice, are unhappy with delays in processing their pay claim.
However, the company's director of corporate affairs, Mr Dan Loughrey, said yesterday it had received "no indications of serious disruption" today. He also pointed out that an earlier work to rule by catering staff had had no significant impact on the company's operations. But he accepted that a work to rule by airline pilots due to begin tomorrow might have more effect. He appealed to all the groups concerned to continue processing their claims through the available industrial relations procedures.
Catering staff warned on Friday they intended taking a series of "lightning overtime bans and work stoppages" from today in pursuit of better pay. Provision of in-flight meals for all passengers, ranging from executive to economy class, could be at risk as a result, although the company has the capacity to buy in supplies on return flights.
The company is likely to question the legality of any action taken by SIPTU members today. It will argue that the strike ballot was conducted last June and is no longer valid. However, SIPTU negotiator Mr Dermot O'Loughlin said last night that as far as he was concerned members were operating fully within procedures and any attempt to discipline them would mean a "serious escalation" of the dispute.
He added that catering staff earned between £9,000 and £15,000 a year and had a 22-point scale. Over 80 per cent of them were women. They had been offered an extra £11.75p a week for "a plethora of changes", including a 5 a.m. start and assisting chefs in the kitchen.
"The kernel of this dispute is low, low pay", Mr O'Loughlin said. "Our members lifted industrial action two weeks ago on a promise of meaningful talks but the company offer was derisory. Given the forbearance of our members the offer from the company is downright embarrassing in the present Celtic Tiger economy." Meanwhile, baggage handlers with the company have served strike notice for Friday, October 14th, and 1,400 clerical staff are expected to vote for strike action shortly. IMPACT is to conclude a strike ballot of approximately 1,400 Aer Lingus cabin crew on Wednesday over pay.
However, these crew members are the subject of a transfer row with SIPTU. On Saturday an initiative by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to resolve this dispute between IMPACT and SIPTU began. It is being undertaken by Mr Gerard Durkan SC, who is the arbitrator in disputes between the company and the Irish Air Line Pilots' Association branch of IMPACT.