Unite has announced that there could be disruption for passengers looking to fly from Manchester Airport later this month as cabin crew workers from one airline are set to take industrial action. According to the union, 130 Aer Lingus cabin crew workers have voted to strike, disrupting transatlantic flights from Manchester, in particular.
Aer Lingus is a major airline now operating out of Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2, with several flights each day to destinations including Orlando, New York and Barbados. The Irish airline is said to have recorded an operating profit of €205m last year.
Aer Lingus said it “notes with disappointment the outcome of the ballot for industrial action by Cabin Crew on its UK transatlantic routes”. The airline added that: “Aer Lingus negotiated in good faith with the Unite trade union having regard to bench-marked market pay in the UK. Aer Lingus and Unite reached agreement on two separate comprehensive and market competitive pay deals which Unite then recommended to its members, the latter being based on a recommendation following a detailed conciliation process at ACAS.”
Why are Aer Lingus cabin crew workers in Manchester going on strike?
Unite members have rejected a pay rise of nine per cent this year and three per cent next year. The reason for cabin crew workers going on strike is said to be due to the base salaries being so low that workers have struggled to afford basics such as housing and bills. Unite says many have also taken on second jobs or worked large amounts of overtime to try and make up for the shortfall in pay.
Starting salaries at Aer Lingus are £17,640.25 (below minimum wage) and there is said to be a discrepancy between pay in the UK and Ireland. The starting basic salary for cabin crew in Ireland is €29,833.26, meaning the difference once converted into pounds is £8,249.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is completely unacceptable that hardworking staff at such a profitable airline are unable to afford the basics while senior management are making millions. Unite will not stand for it. This dispute will no doubt cause disruption to flights, but the blame lies squarely with Aer Lingus who is putting profits over people.”
The union stated that Aer Lingus crew based in Manchester have far lower route allowances for items such as food, taxis and additional supplies such as medicine than their colleagues based in Dublin. For example, Irish Aer Lingus cabin crew get $171 per night for all US destinations per night but UK workers get $111 for Orlando and $115 for New York – despite staying in the same hotels. As well as an improved pay offer, Unite is calling on Aer Lingus to end this disparity.
When will the strikes take place?
After 90 per cent of workers involved in the dispute voted to take industrial action, members will walk out from October 30 to November 2.
There will also be additional disruption to Aer Lingus flights departing and arriving at Manchester Airport Terminal 2, as cabin crew will walk out on more days. Around 130 workers, members of Unite, will now walk out from November 9-11, November 14, and November 16-18.
Will my Aer Lingus flight from Manchester be affected by the strike?
The industrial action could affect more than 18 flights, with over 4,000 passengers heading to key destinations like New York, Boston, Orlando, and Barbados between strike dates. Aer Lingus has said it “will now focus on communicating directly with impacted customers with a view to re-accommodating them where possible and minimising the disruption caused to them”.
Keep up to date with Aer Lingus flight information at Manchester Airport here.