Aer Lingus passengers face severe disruption to their travel plans tomorrow and Friday as the airline announced flights will be cancelled if a strike by clerical and operative staff goes ahead.
Meanwhile, the Labour Court has agreed to convene a meeting between Aer Lingus and SIPTU in an effort to resolve the ongoing dispute.
The National Implementation Body, established under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, (PPF), requested the meeting late this evening but it is not yet known whether both party have agreed to attend.
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In a statement issued earlier today, Aer Lingus said the strike by SIPTU members was completely unjustified.
A spokesman said despite the short notice given by the union of its planned action, the company was committed to and available for talks to resolve the dispute.
He said: "At this late state, Aer Lingus is extremely disappointed that SIPTU has not responded positively to continuing dialogue rather than unnecessary disruption to out customers."
Talks between management and SIPTU on pay parity with Aer Lingus cabin crew broke up last night without any progress.
SIPTU branch secretary Mr Owen Reidy has accused the company of treating clerical staff and general operatives as "second-class citizens".
The claim for parity would mean cutting the 18-point pay scale to 15, an additional £1,230 at the top of the scale, a rise of 20 per cent in differentials and the option to retire at 55.
Two further 24-hour strikes are planned for April 6th and 11th.
- If the strike by Aer Lingus clerical and operative staff goes ahead on Friday, March 30th, the company has said all its flights will be cancelled with the following exceptions;
Departures on March 29th
New York JFK/Dublin
EI104
Boston/Dublin
EI136
Boston/Shannon
EI134
Chicago/Dublin/Shannon
EI124
New York/Shannon
EI112
Newark/Shannon/Dublin
EI106
All arriving on Friday morning
Departures on March 30th
New York JFK/Dublin
EI104
Boston/Dublin
EI136
Chicago/Dublin/Shannon
EI124
JFK/Shannon
EI112
Baltimore/Shannon/Dublin
EI118
Los Angeles/Dublin/Shannon
EI114
All arriving on Saturday morning
The following flights due to operate on Thursday have been cancelled Dublin/Paris CDG
EI534
Dublin/Birmingham
EI278
Dublin/Manchester
EI218
- Customers with reservations for flights on Friday, March 30th, should contact Aer Lingus Reservations (freephone in Ireland) at 1-800-77 77 71. This line will be open from 9 p.m. on Wednesday and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday.
If the strike goes ahead, the Aer Lingus normal (Irish and UK) reservation lines and the 1-800-777771 line will be unavailable on Friday.
In the UK the number is 08459737747 and North American customers should call 1-800-IRISH-AIR.