Aer Lingus dispute continues as talks break down

Negotiations between management at Aer Lingus and the trade union IMPACT broke up today without progress towards the ending of…

Negotiations between management at Aer Lingus and the trade union IMPACT broke up today without progress towards the ending of a dispute that has caused disruption to flights.

The escalation yesterday of a work-to-rule by cabin crew has led to the airline cancelling a dozen charter flights this weekend but other airlines have been organised for tour operators and passengers are advised to check in as normal.

Most of the flights will run close to their scheduled time though a flight from Cork Airport due to depart tomorrow has been delayed until Sunday.

The changes affect ten flights from Dublin and two from Cork.

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The service to London City Airport has also been disrupted and Aer Lingus says passengers are being re-routed through Heathrow.

The dispute among IMPACT's cabin crew members is over the as yet unpaid 4 per cent increase due under the terms of the last national wage agreement.

Aer Lingus are seeking a change in work practices in exchange for the increase, but IMPACT's Ms Christina Carney claims her members have already delivered "significant productivity improvements".

"But every time we get close to agreement, management puts more demands on the table. At this rate cabin crew will have no life outside of work at all," Ms Carney said.

An Aer Lingus spokeswoman says everyone else at the company, including SIPTU cabin crew members, has agreed to a programme of ongoing change, and that IMAPCT are refusing to abide by a Labour Court recommendation that would see new practices introduced to speed up turnaround times.

"The dispute escalated yesterday and we made every effort to minimise disruption to passengers," the spokeswoman said.

There were talks between the union and management yesterday but they broke up at the Labour Court today without progress.

The Aer Lingus spokeswoman said: "The company is always available for talks on the basis that a commitment is given to the on ongoing change that other employees have agreed to."