Aer Lingus cabin crew plan additional strikes at Manchester airport

Aer Lingus cabin crew staff at Manchester airport are planning further strikes as an ongoing dispute over pay escalates.

 

About 130 of the Irish carrier’s workers will now walk out from November 9 to 11, November 14, and November 16 to 18.

 

These strike dates are in addition to the walk-outs announced last week, from October 30 to November 2.

 

Unite said this will lead to “additional disruption” to Aer Lingus flights departing and arriving at Manchester airport Terminal 2.

 

It comes after cabin crew working from Manchester airport rejected a pay rise of 9% this year and 3% next year.

 

Unite said that while it “recognises this is a high number on paper”, salaries at Aer Lingus are “low with the starting salary of £17,640.25 well below minimum wage”.

 

The union also noted a “discrepancy between pay in the UK and Ireland”, noting the starting basic salary for cabin crew in Ireland is €29,833.26, meaning the difference once converted into pounds is £8,249.

 

“The cost of living in Manchester is not substantially lower than in Dublin, with both being major cities facing high housing and living costs,” said a Unite spokesperson.

 

“Unite members at Aer Lingus UK have reported struggling to pay rent and having to take on second jobs to afford essentials.”

 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: "It is outrageous that cabin crew working for such a profitable airline are struggling on such low wages and cannot afford the basics.

 

"Any strike action will be hugely disruptive to these routes, but the additional action is entirely the fault of Aer Lingus who have consistently put profits over people during this dispute. Unite will back our members at the airline every step of the way."

 

Unite also pointed to Aer Lingus’ financial position, describing the airline as "highly profitable", highlighting that last year it recorded an operating profit of €205m.

 

"Aer Lingus can avoid this further action by investing some of its profits back into its hardworking staff and coming back to the negotiating table," said Unite regional officer John O’Neill. 

 

"Unite is urging them to do this to avoid major disruption to flights in the coming weeks."

 

Aer Lingus said it is "regrettable that Unite has decided on a significant further escalation of this type", which will be "very disruptive to Aer Lingus customers flying between Manchester and each of New York, Orlando and Barbados". 

 

The carrier added: "Aer Lingus will continue to focus on planning for this increased disruption and communicating directly with impacted customers with a view to reaccommodating them where possible and minimising the disruption caused to them.
 
"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."