Aer Lingus has withdrawn cheap flight concessions from 400 catering staff over work stoppages yesterday in a move that brings the prospect of a major dispute significantly closer. Baggage-handlers, clerical staff and cabin crew are all preparing for strike action, while Aer Lingus pilots began a work-to-rule, also over pay, at midnight.
The work-to-rule is not expected to cause serious disruption to flights for some days. However, many passengers, including those travelling premier class on transatlantic flights, had to make do with sandwiches yesterday because of the caterers' action. The company says it will refund a proportion of the fares for its failure to provide meals.
The decision by caterers to hold a "lightning" series of walkouts and the company's decision to withdraw cheap flight concessions are both seen as evidence of a confrontational high-risk strategy on both sides. Senior company and trade union sources concede that a major dispute, or series of disputes, is almost inevitable within the next few weeks.
One senior management source described the decision to withdraw cheap flights as an attempt "to get some reality back into the situation".
With pay rates as low as £5.40p an hour, access to cheap flights for them and their families is the most attractive perk catering staff have.
Yesterday Aer Lingus chefs walked off the job from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., followed by catering assistants from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and clearance area (washing-up) operatives from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The stoppages were followed by a protest march around the airport terminal with SIPTU members carrying posters reading "Aer Lingus, the low pay airline".
Yesterday there were fears that baggage-handlers, who have served two weeks' strike notice on Aer Lingus, might come out earlier and join the caterers, but they returned to work after a meeting at lunchtime.
The work-to-rule by pilots began as a fairly low-key affair last night. It is not expected to disrupt flights for a few days. Pilots are seeking parity with other airlines in the so-called One World Alliance of which Aer Lingus is now part. Their counterparts in British Airways earn up to £140,000 sterling, and $250,000 dollars in American Airlines, compared with £89,000 at the top of the Aer Lingus scale.
A SIPTU catering shop steward, Ms Clare Daly, said after the march that many of her members were earning less than the £6.50p an hour paid by McDonalds at its airport outlet. Aer Lingus was demanding drastic changes in working conditions, including a 5 a.m. start for the early shift, in return for £11.75p a week.
IMPACT's assistant general secretary, Mr Michael Landers, has called on Aer Lingus to "recognise the legitimacy of international comparisons and negotiate accordingly".