THOUSANDS of Aer Lingus passengers could face significant delays by this evening as a work to rule by cabin crews begins to take effect.
Little or no disruption is expected before lunchtime. But union sources say that, by evening, delays of up to two hours are possible.
Aer Lingus itself is advising passengers to turn up on time for flights. It says it is not anticipating serious disruption or the loss of any flights, because of assurances given to it by SIPTU.
The 800 cabin crew members involved are taking action because of a company decision to deploy a Delta Airlines steward on the Aer Lingus service between Dublin and New York. They say it threatens jobs, but the company says it wants to recruit extra staff because of increased business.
The Dublin New York flight is expected to take off, as scheduled, at midday. The flight taking the President, Mrs Robinson, to London this morning to begin her first official visit to Britain is also expected to leave on time.
The most likely cause of delays will be when cabin crew members insist on taking their full rest break between flights. On many routes they have traditionally cut breaks short to allow aircraft to take advantage of early take off "slots".
The loss of such slots could mean delays of up to two hours at some of the busier airports, according to SIPTU members. Such delays can be expected to increase in number as the work to rule continues.
SIPTU had originally indicated that it would be withdrawing in flight services such as duty free sales as part of its work to rule. But the company warned that such action would lead to immediate suspension without pay.
An official of the union's aviation branch, Mr Des Hughes, said last night the work to rule would be precisely that, with "no flexibility and no cover for people on sick leave".
The company says it has no problem with staff working "to the letter of their contract of employment".
Both sides had anticipated the intervention of the Labour Relations Commission by yesterday at the latest, and repeatedly stated they were available for talks over the weekend.
However, the LRC is under stood to be reluctant to intervene, following the rejection by the union members of its previous settlement proposals.
There has been no obvious change of mood among Aer Lingus cabin crews to suggest that another intervention would succeed. indeed, the mood within SIPTU seems to have hardened following the decision by Aer Lingus to issue protective notices to 4,500 employees on Friday because of the threat to business.
Yesterday shop stewards representing manual and clerical grades met cabin crew shop stewards. Afterwards the cabin crew stewards met on their own to finalise preparations for the work to rule.
Mr Hughes said the situation would be kept under daily review. The union was willing to meet the company, "or anyone else to discuss the problem".
But he warned that if it was not resolved shortly, the action would be escalated. Initially this would mean a withdrawal of in flight services, and then stoppages of one or two days.
The corporate affairs director of Aer Lingus, Mr Dan Loughrey, appealed to staff "to reconsider their position. The issue in dispute does not warrant the action being contemplated in terms of its consequences for the company and for the travelling public."
The Progressive Democrats spokesman on transport, energy and communications, Mr Bobby Molloy, called on Aer Lingus staff to call off the work to rule.
The strategic alliance with Delta would make the State airline stronger. "Far from being threatened by this partnership, Aer Lingus jobs have been protected," he said.