Aer Lingus Belfast base will not be hit by strikes
10.10.08
Possible strike action by Aer Lingus staff may not ground flights from its Belfast International Airport base, the airline has said
The reassurance follows the announcement by Siptu, the largest union at the Irish airline, that it is to ballot for all-out industrial action in the event that the airline tries to impose cuts and up to 1500 jobs through outsourcing and redeployment. The Impact union has also said it will oppose the cost-saving plan, which it described as ‘severe and draconian’, and said it would consult with members on their reaction.
The airline's plans - which were announced on Monday - include outsourcing ground operations, cargo and catering services at Dublin and ground operations at Cork. Up to 280 jobs could be lost at Shannon, where ground and cargo services will be outsourced and cabin crew bases axed. US-based staff will also be hired to work on long-haul services from America, and just under 20 cabin crew workers based at Heathrow will lose their jobs as the base is closed.
However, Aer Lingus insisted that its Belfast passengers would be unaffected. The new base - opened last December - is being staffed under different arrangements to its other bases with the dispute seeing the airline attempting to replicate staffing arrangements it already has in place in Belfast at its bases in Dublin, Cork and Shannon.
Add to: del.icio.us | Digg it | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
To book airport hotels belfast or airport parking belfast at the lowest price click on these links to belfast airport car parking and belfast airport hotel price comparison pages.
