Aer Lingus baggage dispute settled

Baggage handlers have agreed to work the new check-in area at Dublin airport, known as Area 14, following talks between unions…

Baggage handlers have agreed to work the new check-in area at Dublin airport, known as Area 14, following talks between unions and management this afternoon.

In a letter sent to around 400 workers over the weekend Aer Lingus management had threatened to suspend them if they refused to work in the new facility.

The workers represented by Siptu said there was no consultation on the move to the new baggage handling area, known as Area 14, in the basement of the airport.

However, following talks today Noel Maguire of Siptu's Aer Lingus branch said "an agreement was reached after a commitment from management to address a number of issues of concern to the baggage handlers".

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"We also have a commitment that in the event of any further dispute, management will use the existing industrial disputes resolution procedure," he added.

Aer Lingus welcomed the resolution of the dispute.

In a statement, the airline said it had been engaged in extensive talks with staff and staff representatives over the last number of months in relation to Area 14.

"We welcome the successful outcome from today's meetings and we can now look forward to providing our customers with an enhanced travel experience."

Aer Lingus said check-in will commence this evening in Area 14 at 17.30 for flights EI 192, EI 194 to London Heathrow and Aer Lingus flight EI 232 to Glasgow.

The talks to resolve the dispute began at around 10am with management insisting the €15 million facility must come into operation today.

The handling area is intended to relieve congestion at check-ins in advance of the opening of Pier D and Terminal 2.

It was due to be opened in April but a new target of last Tuesday passed without the change taking place.

The new facility is situated below the arrivals area, and is designed to ease congestion at the airport. It can handle up to four million passengers annually, or 11,000 a day.