Workers at Aer Lingus today voted in favour of industrial action that could cause travel chaos for thousands of people.
The result of the ballot of the 1,800-strong Siptu membership at Aer Lingus showed an overwhelming majority endorsing industrial action up to and including all-out strike.
The ballot was announced after Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion wrote to unions last month saying that changes in work practices would be introduced from the start of this month.
Mr Mannion claimed that the airline had experienced payroll increases of an average of 30 per cent in three years and its costs were out of step with its competitors.
Siptu national industrial secretary, Michael Halpenny
Siptu national industrial secretary, Michael Halpenny, contested the figures today saying they were determined by a survey conducted without consultation with unions.
"Despite an attempt to give the impression that the average cost per employee is €72,000 per annum, their own figures show that, for example, the average basic operative pay is €33,000 per annum - less than half of the alleged figure," Mr Halpenny said.
He also hit out at what he said was the company's failure to observe procedure recommended by the National Implementation Body (NIB) requiring that existing agreements be honoured.
"Management is still intent on proceeding regardless of the consequences and has even refused to have the matter of its breach of agreement referred to the Labour Court," Mr Halpenny added.
He said management had given a commitment not to alter terms and conditions of employment without agreement in the prospectus to privatisation last year.
Mr Halpenny said the Government was aware of these commitments and now "bears a heavy responsibility" to ensure these are honoured.
The company circulated a 12-point plan called Programme for Continuous Improvement 2007 to workers last month containing plans that included lower shift premiums and fewer holidays.
Cabin crew received the first of the new contracts reflecting the work changes at the start of the month.
Impact, the other major union at the airline, has also balloted members for industrial action but results are not yet known.