Aer Lingus cabin crew vote for industrial action in roster dispute

Aer Lingus cabin crew at have voted to take industrial action in a row over rosters.

Trade union Impact said 97 per cent of cabin crew had backed plans for industrial action up to and including strike if the airline failed to agree the implementation of a revised roster for short haul services, and to implement acceptable time-off arrangements after long-haul flights.

The ballot also provided for industrial action "in the event of further breaches by management of existing collective agreements, and if the company fails to implement an outstanding Labour Court recommendation on supervisors contracts".

Impact official Michael Landers said the result indicated the depth of feeling among cabin crew.

“The current roster patterns are best described as erratic. We have sought consultation with management on the implementation of a more sustainable and predictable roster which is already in place for pilots and which many other airlines also have in place for cabin crew.

“But management simply haven’t engaged with us, and today’s result demonstrates the frustration of cabin crew as a result” he said.

Mr Landers said rosters were subject to changes at short notice.

“Many cabin crew are struggling to maintain caring arrangements for when they are on duty, and cabin crew have reported incidences of extreme fatigue among crew, necessitating medical attention. It cannot continue like this” he said.

The union said cabin crew had sought a roster similar to those in place for pilots at the airline. These involve 5 work days followed by 3 rest days - known as a 5:3 roster pattern.

The union said at present cabin crew could work up to 60 hours in a 7-day period, resulting in shift patterns of 6 working days and 1 rest day, followed by 6 more working days.

Impact said cabin crew also backed industrial action in order to achieve agreement on a dispute with Aer Lingus over pensions.

The union said that its cabin crew branch committee would meet in the coming days with Impact’s divisional executive to discuss the options for industrial action.