Fórsa has said yesterday’s announcement by Aer Lingus of proposed job losses will come as a profound shock to workers across the airline, including pilots, cabin crew and staff in head office functions. 

Fórsa said it will never accept compulsory redundancies in a company that is profit making and that the union's immediate priority is to engage constructively with the company, alongside fellow unions, to ensure that every possible step is taken to protect members' jobs and conditions. 

Fórsa has over 3000 members in Aer Lingus, working as pilots, cabin crew and professional, technical and management staff, organised as IALPA representing pilots, Cabin Crew and IAESA.

Fórsa national secretary Hazel Nolan said the scale of the proposed reductions is deeply concerning and said the union would challenge the company’s case for job losses in light of its profitability: “We are extremely disappointed by the announcement that has been made. We would push back against the claim that there need to be job losses, given the profitability of the company.”

In a letter to the members issued yesterday, IALPA President Captain Daniel Langan, said: “It is important to remember that we are employed by a highly profitable airline. The annual accounts show that Aer Lingus is the ninth most profitable airline in Europe and has the fifth highest operating margin among European airlines. These facts, together with the long-term interests of the airline and its employees, will remain firmly at the forefront of IALPA’s engagement with the company throughout this process.”

Chair of the Cabin Crew branch, Angel Garcia said: “We are shocked and disappointed by these proposed redundancies. Our crew are the heart of this airline, delivering exceptional service and ensuring passengers arrive safely to their destinations every day. We do not believe job cuts are justified, and we will stand together to protect the jobs of our dedicated members.”

Speaking on RTÉ yesterday, Hazel Nolan added that the announcement would be devastating for workers who supported the airline through the Covid crisis: “The company is doing incredibly well, and that is why this is so devastating for many of our members and their families, especially workers who stood by the airline during Covid. To now be rewarded with job cuts at a point when the company is in a very healthy profit margin is simply devastating for people.” she said.

Hazel said Aer Lingus’ first quarter performance should be understood in context: “The airline almost always makes a loss in Q1. This year’s Q1 loss was exacerbated by Aer Lingus management’s decision to close its Manchester base, which had been a profit-making resource and asset for the airline. The operating margin in the Manchester base was 17%, and that is factored into its Q1 losses. Given the overall performance of the airline, we do not believe there should be cuts at all, and certainly, if there are going to be any, we want to ensure that none of those fall under compulsory redundancy,” she said.

The union confirmed it will participate fully in the collective consultation process, which is expected to begin shortly. Hazel added: “Consultation must be genuine and solution focused. Workers and their representatives need full transparency from the company, and sufficient time and scope to examine all viable alternatives to job losses.”

Fórsa emphasised the importance of protecting the long-term sustainability of the airline without undermining its workforce. Hazel concluded: “Aer Lingus has a highly skilled and experienced workforce which has been central to its success. Any restructuring must recognise that reality and avoid measures that would weaken the airline’s capacity into the future.”

Fórsa said it will keep members updated as discussions progress."

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