IN March Aer Lingus signed up as a Worldwide Partner of Delta Airlines, along with Swiss air and Singapore Airlines. The aim is to generate more business by offering a wider choice of flights and connections.
Part of the agreement allows for the redeployment of Delta cabin crew staff on Aer Lingus flights or, more precisely, the daily El 105 from Dublin to JFK airport in New York and back.
Since May 1st a Delta employee has been a token flag carrier on the flight. The company had wanted one of the Aer Lingus crew to make way for the Delta employee and a reduction in crew from 11 to seven.
When it became clear that SIPTU would not accept this because of the serious long term implications for employment among the airline's 400 cabin crew, both sides went to arbitration.
Earlier this month the Labour Relations Commission issued a compromise proposal. It suggested the Delta employee should operate on the Dublin New York flight on a trial basis until September. In the meantime the 11 Aer Lingus cabin crew would remain in place and the matter would be reviewed at the end of the peak tourist season.
Although SIPTU negotiators supported the proposal, it was rejected by a majority of two to one.
Strike notice was subsequently served on the company to begin at 12.01 a.m. on June 4th.
The company has responded by writing to employees warning them that any disruptive action on flights would lead to the immediate suspension of those concerned without pay.
It is to issue protective notice to all 6,000 employees today. This would come into force from June 7th. From then Aer Lingus employees would face the prospect of lay offs on a day by day basis.