Aer Lingus talks end in agreement
IMPACT has lifted strike notice served on Aer Lingus last week following lengthy discussions with the airline’s management at the Labour Relations Commission yesterday.
The two sides agreed a deal under which the trade union lifted the threat of a strike and the company lifted the threat of compulsory redundancies.
97% of Aer Lingus’ pilots had voted in favour of the strike over their treatment under the airline’s post-September 11 survival plan.
IMPACT said the pilots were being asked to accept a disproportionate number of redundancies when compared to other sectors within the company.
Speaking after the talks at the LRC ended last night, IMPACT spokesman Michael Landers said he believes any redundancies needed at Aer Lingus can be agreed on a voluntary basis.
He also welcomed the fact that talks can now take place in an atmosphere where nobody is under threat of compulsory lay-offs.
"We’ve agreed that no further notice of industrial action will be issued during this process and equally the company has agreed that no notice of compulsory redundancy will be issued during the process," he said.
A company spokesman says: "Aer Lingus welcomes the removal of the strike threat that had faced our customers next Monday."
