The IMPACT Cabin Crew branch is conducting a ballot for industrial action, up to and including strike action, in a dispute about rosters which resulted in one day strike action in May 2014. The branch has expressed its disappointment with a recent Labour Court recommendation which came out of a lengthy process following last year’s action.

The ballot calls for action in the event that Aer Lingus takes any one or more of the following actions:

• Takes any steps to outsource Cabin Crew work to non-Aer Lingus staff and/or offshore Cabin Crew work without agreement with IMPACT
• Fails to agree and implement arrangements for the introduction of a trial 5/3 fixed pattern roster i.e. 5 work days followed by 3 days off fixed pattern, 5:3, 5:3(similar to the roster for short haul Aer Lingus pilots)
• Fails to agree and implement acceptable time off arrangements
• Breaches or refuses to recognise any existing collective agreements
• Fails to agree and implement acceptable arrangements to resolve the ongoing dispute regarding Crew and Operations Supervisors
• Introduces changes to terms and conditions of employment and/or working practices, crewing levels and service levels without agreement with IMPACT.

Michael Landers, assistant general secretary with IMPACT said “All of the issues we went on strike for last year still need to be finally solved.  We have spent almost a year developing proposals for the 5/3 fixed pattern roster.  It has been a frustrating year and the company has continued to drag its feet on numerous industrial relations issues” he said.

He added that cabin crew must act to change their situation, and that they would not tolerate this disrespect any longer. “Only by voting for strike action will we get the company’s attention. We need to show that we are united and determined to resolve our issues and get fair treatment” he said.

The ballot closes on Friday, May 15^th.