Aer Lingus cabin crews are expected to serve strike notice on the company within the next few days if it refuses to open negotiations on pay. So far the company has refused to meet them because they are involved in a transfer dispute between SIPTU and IMPACT.
IMPACT held yesterday's ballot. There was over 99 per cent support for strike action. The vote against was less than 10.
The chairwoman of the IMPACT cabin crew committee, Ms Nora O'Reilly said the vote "gives a clear message to Aer Lingus that cabin crew will no longer accept low pay and casual contracts. Aer Lingus can no longer ignore the overwhelming view of their staff who have for years been loyal employees and acted as the public face of the company."
An Aer Lingus spokesperson said the company is still awaiting the outcome of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions investigation into the SIPTU-IMPACT dispute over which union should represent cabin crew. The spokesman said: "Aer Lingus will abide by its findings."
The company was willing to address outstanding claims "through negotiations, agreed procedures and processes, and in the context of productivity, flexibility and efficiency."
The investigation of the inter-union dispute is being carried out by Mr Gerard Durcan SC and is expected to conclude today or tomorrow. However, it is unclear if this will resolve the issue.
Last night the IMPACT deputy general secretary, Mr Shay Cody, said his union was "more than happy to enter into procedures and discuss pay with the company. We will be advising them of what happened with the strike ballot today."
In the event of the company refusing to meet IMPACT, he said, strike notice would follow very shortly.
Meanwhile, Aer Lingus has denied the cancellation of an Aer Lingus flight from Newark, New Jersey, to Shannon yesterday was because of the pilots' work to rule. There had been a technical problem and, by the time it was solved, cabin crew were off duty.