AER Lingus cabin crews are balloting for strike action because the airline is refusing to change the hotel used by staff on the New York Shannon route. Cabin crew members say that better and safer accommodation is available nearby at an extra cost of only $10 a night.
A spokesman for Aer Lingus said the company was satisfied with the standard of service and, security of the Lucerne Hotel, where crews have been accommodated. It is in the upmarket area of Central Park West.
Twelve rooms are booked 365 nights a year and it would cost nearly $50,000 a year extra to relocate the cabin crew. The spokesman added that pilots on the route had already agreed to accept the accommodation provided. Aer Lingus was not prepared to reconsider.
Last September cabin crew personnel agreed to move out of Manhattan to White Plains, New York, under protest. The move was intended to reduce costs.
SIPTU had predicted that the move would be counterproductive and Aer Lingus arranged to relocate staff in Manhattan from this week. Cabin crew on the Dublin New York flight have accepted their new accommodation.
The ballot result will be known on Monday.