Aer Lingus Manchester cabin crew vote for strike

Aer Lingus flights from Manchester airport face autumn disruption after 130 cabin crew voted to strike.

 

A walk out is planned from 30 October 30 to November 2 after after 90% of Unite union members involved in a pay dispute voted to take industrial action.

 

The action has been threatened after they rejected a nine per cent pay rise this year and three per cent next year. 

 

Unite said: “While they recognise this seems like a high number, the reality is that base salaries are so low workers have struggled to afford basics such as housing and bills.” 

 

Manchester-based crew argue they have far lower flying allowances than their colleagues based in Dublin. 

 

Aer Lingus has offered its Manchester workers an increase of $15 in an US overnight allowance to $130.

 

However, this does not go far enough to address the imbalance, according to the union.

 

The airline plans to run flights run by non-Unite members to Dublin from Manchester during the strike to connect to transatlantic flights from the Irish capital. 

 

“This will also cause more disruption for passengers as they will face delays to their destination and changes to flights,” Unite argued.

 

Unite regional officer John O’Neill said: "We know anyone who is flying on these dates will be concerned of the impact to their travels, but our members have overwhelmingly voted for strike action as they feel they have had no choice.

 

"Aer Lingus can afford to come back to the table with a better offer that addresses years of low pay and the fact so many of our members are struggling to afford the basics. Instead of employing union busting tactics, they should come back to the negotiating table to end this dispute."

 

An Aer Lingus spokesperson said: "Aer Lingus notes with disappointment the outcome of the ballot for industrial action by cabin crew on its UK transatlantic routes.

 

"Aer Lingus negotiated in good faith with the Unite trade union having regard to benchmarked market pay in the UK. Aer Lingus and Unite reached agreement on two separate comprehensive and market competitive pay deals which Unite then recommended to its members, the latter being based on a recommendation following a detailed conciliation process at ACAS.

 

"In this context, it is very disappointing that Unite has served notice of industrial action over the period 30 October through to the end of 2 November which will be very disruptive to our customers flying between Manchester and each of New York, Orlando and Barbados.

 

"Aer Lingus will now focus on communicating directly with impacted customers with a view to reaccommodating them where possible and minimising the disruption caused to them."