Aer Lingus baggage handlers are expected to join cabin crew and pilots in threatening industrial action over pay this week. They begin balloting this morning and could serve strike notice by the end of the week if no significant progress is made in talks.
Meanwhile, pilots at Ryanair are considering a work-to-rule because the company has introduced longer duty rosters. Their ballot for industrial action is expected to conclude before the end of the week.
SIPTU is balloting 400 Aer Lingus baggage handlers on a new Labour Court recommendation that the company offer to improve pay scales in return for extra productivity. Until now Aer Lingus has wanted to compensate them through lump sums.
A strike ballot is being conducted simultaneously with the ballot on the Labour Court recommendation. Both will be counted on Thursday morning.
SIPTU branch secretary Mr Tony Walsh said yesterday he would be seeking a meeting with the company immediately after the ballot to discuss the situation. If members voted for the Labour Court recommendation and gave a mandate for strike action substantial progress would be needed to avert strike notice being given before the end of the week.
Meanwhile, IMPACT has begun balloting nearly 1,400 cabin crew it claims have joined it from SIPTU for industrial action on a pay claim. Mr Walsh said the ballot breached an agreement between the two unions to abide by procedures agreed with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions for resolving the "poaching" row over cabin crew.
"When one side takes unilateral action it makes a farce of the whole process," he said.
SIPTU has exclusive negotiating rights with Aer Lingus for cabin crew but IMPACT says 80 per cent of cabin crew have now joined it and it is entitled to represent them. SIPTU disputes the figures.
The tension between the unions is evident in SIPTU's attitude towards a pay claim IMPACT is making on behalf of 500 pilots in Aer Lingus. IMPACT wants parity with British Airways pilots, who earn £140,000 sterling at the top of the scale compared to £90,000 for Aer Lingus pilots.
Mr Walsh said pilots might have a separate negotiating process from other Aer Lingus workers but there was "no legal barrier" to other employees seeking similar percentage increases. "Aer Lingus argues it can only pay employees out of the profits it makes. Everyone contributes to that profitability and we are not willing to see everything go to pay one group."
However, IMPACT deputy general secretary Mr Shay Cody said pay rates in the aviation sector had to reflect the international market. Pilots were seeking rates paid for comparable work in other airlines and there was nothing to stop SIPTU doing likewise for its members.
SIPTU drivers, cleaners, caterers and other general workers at Aer Lingus are unlikely to be impressed by Mr Cody's argument. They have been offered increases of between 6 per cent and 8 per cent while it is expected that pilots, earning up to five times as much, will be offered considerably more.
The dispute over cabin crew has not only damaged relations between the two unions but made them compete in demonstrating their ability to win concessions from the company.
Impact can also be expected to take a tough stance with Ryanair, which fought off an attempt by SIPTU two years ago to win union recognition for baggage handlers. The dispute is over extending pilot roster duties from 50 hours a week to 55 hours.