AER LINGUS has said it will unilaterally implement a controversial cost-cutting and work practice reform plan for staff in most of its ground operation areas over the coming weeks.
In a letter to the trade union Siptu last night, the airline said that it would be implementing new and more flexible working arrangements in all of its ground operations areas, except aircraft loading, between now and the end of June.
Siptu members at Aer Lingus have already twice rejected the new flexibility and mobility plan, which is aimed at saving about €10 million. About 60 per cent of Siptu members actually voted to accept the changes in the most recent ballot last month. However, under a union rule at Aer Lingus, because the measures were not supported by all the main sections of the workforce in the ground operations area, the deal fell.
A Siptu spokesman said that its shop stewards at Aer Lingus would meet today to consider their response to the company's letter.
The focus of attention at the meeting is likely to be the response of clerical staff at the airline's base in Dublin Airport to the unilateral implementation of the new work practices. Clerical staff in Dublin were one of the main groups to vote against the proposals.
Aircraft loading personnel also voted against the reform plan. However, they will be unaffected by the implementation of the changes for the present under the terms of the Aer Lingus letter.
The airline, in its letter to Siptu, also signalled that it would review progress on the implementation of the changes at the end of June and would then lift a controversial pay freeze which has been in place since last autumn pending the introduction of its reform plans.
Siptu has maintained that its 1,800 members at the airline, who work mainly in the ground operations area, are due increases of around 7.5 per cent which have been withheld. It is understood that the pay freeze will remain in place for loading personnel.
Aer Lingus did not comment on the moves last night.
Under the flexibility plan, which was drawn up following lengthy discussion involving the Labour Relations Commission and the National Implementation Body, the staff concerned would be asked to start earlier and work shifts of varying lengths although basic pay scales will not be affected. Management would also have the freedom to move personnel between duties, such as between check-in and boarding, during a shift.
The airline has already secured savings worth a further €10 million in deals reached recently with pilots and cabin crew.
