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2008

SIPTU serves two weeks strike notice on Aer Lingus chief executive

Date Released: 10 Nov 2008

SIPTU National Industrial Secretary Gerry McCormack has written to Aer Lingus Chief Executive Dermot Mannion today notifying him of the decision of union members at the airline to take industrial action if the company attempts to implement change plan without agreement.

In the letter Mr. McCormack said members had voted ‘by an overwhelming majority’ to take action if the company unilaterally attempts to introduce its plan for shedding 1,245 jobs. ‘This decision of our members in the Aer Lingus Branch, Cork No. 5 Branch and Shannon Aviation Branch has now been sanctioned by the National Executive of SIPTU and you are hereby served with fourteen days official notice of same’, the letter states.

‘Following the expiry of notice the decision will be activated as decided by the Union arising from the unilateral implementation by the company proceeding to implement new or changed terms and conditions of employment without agreement contained in their proposals of October 6, 2008 or any variation thereof. In this connection you should note that the sanction covers strike action and the full withdrawal of labour with the placing of pickets on the company locations, and [for] industrial action which is [for] limited work stoppages with the withdrawal of labour and the placing of pickets on … company locations.  The nature, timing and duration of any or all of the foregoing will be determined by the Union.

‘We have made every attempt so far to resolve this dispute procedurally, however, the company withdrew from the talks process chaired by Mr. Kevin Foley of the Labour Relations Commission.  It is our firm view that the actions of the company have brought about a completely avoidable situation. Our members are equally firmly of the view that as a result of the company now proceeding to implement its outsourcing/change proposals the Industrial Action/Strike action will become unavoidable with all the consequent disruption and loss to the employees, customers and Airline.

‘In the interests of our members, and indeed of Aer Lingus, we are urging the company even at this late stage to enter into meaningful discussions on possible alternatives through the NIB process as requested by the ICTU.'

Shop stewards are meeting with Mr. McCormack, Aer Lingus Branch Organiser Teresa Hannick and other union officials at Dublin airport this evening.





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