Well done Aer Lingus

Kermit.de.frog

Firstly I love Aer Lingus and fly with them as regularly as I can but I completely support this action against these striking workers.


http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0603/621344-aer-lingus/


My reasons are two fold.


1. The inconvenience and reputational damage to the airline and the country by their actions. They still seem to think the airline is a public company they can push around.

2. The as yet not fessed up to culpability of the entire trade union movement particularly in the public sector in the mess we are in today.

They messed us up when we had money and now they want to do it again when we don't.

TiGeR KiNgS

The airline industry works off razor thin margins. I also agree with this counter action.

suicide_circus

proper order.

gramar

Proper order. I'm 35 and for as long as I can remember Aer Lingus has been held to ransom by trade unions. The company is still riddled with a sense of self-entitlement and a job for life attitude among it's staff.

893bet

There has to be balance between employers and the unions.

Unions are most definitely needed in order to protect employees however there has to be give and take especially in challenging conditions.

jiminho

Fair play to Aer Lingus. They haven't had it easy and I predict within 20 years, they won't exist anymore. Striking over roster arrangements is ridiculous tho. They must know they're not in a 9-5 job and cabin crew need to be moved from one flight to another. It will never end

Collie D

While I don't necessarily agree with cabin crew striking over rosters and can't really argue against Aer Lingus docking a day's wages for the strike this kind of unilateral action isn't exactly going to help matters.

Mr. Incognito

Cabin crew should not get the same rest hours as pilots. These unions are not acting in their members interests.

It's sad to see the airline pull all their free travel perks as will only harden the workers stance but these workers are not being exploited.

They are being unrealistic. Are lingus is barely hanging on, many more hits like this and the cabin crew will have no hours to work. Good luck to them when that happens.

Specialun

Completely agree with Aer Lingus here. The trade unions are constantly looking to push things and always threaten strike action very fast. No way should Aer Lingus roll over for them

Steven81

Would love to see what o leary would do if people dared mess with him

Collie D

Steven81 wrote: »

Would love to see what o leary would do if people dared mess withstood up to him

Fixed that for you. The man's a bully

glued

Trade Unionism within Aer Lingus has gone too far. They're holding the company to ransom. They have gone too far and are expecting unrealistic work conditions. They're becoming corrupt and shiftless. Their tactics do nothing for their cause but damage the customer and more importantly the company.

irishfeen

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

Cabin crew should not get the same rest hours as pilots. These unions are not acting in their members interests.

It's sad to see the airline pull all their free travel perks as will only harden the workers stance but these workers are not being exploited.

They are being unrealistic. Aer lingus is barely hanging on, many more hits like this and the cabin crew will have no hours to work. Good luck to them when that happens.

I was under the impression that they had turned the corner, their new US Direct flights are doing very well and short distance flights were they last time I read doing well too??

I totally agree here with Aer Lingus, maybe this is just one step too far for AL to agree to and the Unions have bitten off more then they can chew - from gauging the reaction of normal folk the workers have very little support.

tayto lover

How dare these workers stand up for themselves.
Ban the unions rabble rabble.

Buzz Killington the third

Unions should be a thing of the past. I'm delighted to see Aer Lingus give disruptive union members the two fingers.

irishfeen

tayto lover wrote: »

How dare these workers stand up for themselves.
Ban the unions rabble rabble.

... but honestly there is defending yourself and taking the piss, Aer Lingus is under massive pressure from competitors and can't just give their staff everything they want.

tayto lover

irishfeen wrote: »

... but honestly there is defending yourself and taking the piss, Aer Lingus is under massive pressure from competitors and can't just give their staff everything they want.

Then why can't they sit down with the workers and agree a roster? Simple thing to do and will happen in the end as usual.

vicwatson

gramar wrote: »

Proper order. I'm 35 and for as long as I can remember Aer Lingus has been held to ransom by trade unions. The company is still riddled with a sense of self-entitlement and a job for life attitude among it's staff.

Do you mean all staff?

Kermit.de.frog

Don't forget the EU will not allow another government bailout of Aer Lingus if it gets into trouble again.

Next time it's curtains. Look at what happened to Sabena if people think that won't happen and that airline was Belgian!

bumper234

tayto lover wrote: »

Then why can't they sit down with the workers and agree a roster? Simple thing to do and will happen in the end as usual.

the workers agreed a roster when they signed a contract of employment. Do you think anyone else can walk into their bosses office tomorrow and demand their working hours be changed?

Balmed Out

Think it should be illegal for transport links to be affected by strikes. Were an island economy and these actions have too many knock on affects.

irishfeen

tayto lover wrote: »

Then why can't they sit down with the workers and agree a roster? Simple thing to do and will happen in the end as usual.

Of course it will happen eventually but I get the feeling if the staff go out again there could be a major public backlash for them, not Aer Lingus - maybe its something AL might actually want to see happen so they can hold the upper hand.

We have to remember that this airline is still part semi-state run, ~25% of this company is ours so we should be looking for the AL hierarchy to get the best deal for the taxpayer.

irishfeen

Balmed Out wrote: »

Think it should be illegal for transport links to be affected by strikes. Were an island economy and these actions have too many knock on affects.

Well everyone should have the right to strike but I think 1/2 months notice should have to be given for every strike day to give the Airline and passengers the chance to make other arrangements.

irishfeen

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

Don't forget the EU will not allow another government bailout of Aer Lingus if it gets into trouble again.

Next time it's curtains. Look at what happened to Sabena if people think that won't happen and that airline was Belgian!

Yep, any further escalation could make jobs vulnerable at the airline..

Balmed Out

irishfeen wrote: »

Well everyone should have the right to strike but I think 1/2 months notice should have to be given for every strike day to give the Airline and passengers the chance to make other arrangements.

Nope I dont think fire, police, medical or transport services should have the right to strike.

satguy

Well Done Aer Lingus ,, Ryanair was always the butt of the joke, how we, and Aer Lingus poked fun at them, and that mad nut job of a website they used to have, ( but kinda still do )..

But Aer Lingus is most definitely the butt of the joke now, and an airline that has well passed its sell by date....
And as for that bloody website site of theirs, it makes the ryanair one look like a work of art,,..

Well Done Ryanair,, Go Away Aer Lingus you are the weakest link...

Steppenwolfe

I hate to piss on all your parades, but as soon as an agreement is negotiated they will get their travel perks back as part of the deal. Both sides are playing hardball. I doubt the cabin crew would be prepared to lose a days pay and their travel perks unless they were serious about securing better working conditions. In the end there will be a negotiated compromise and it will be business as usual.

SEPT 23 1989

I would sue the union leader personally for every cent lost on the day of the strike

minidazzler

There's striking for unfair and unsafe work practices and then there is this. A bunch of arseholes costing a company money and 40000 people their weekend plans because they have to work a few sh1tty hours. They knew it wasn't a 9-5 when they signed up.

Reekwind

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

They messed us up when we had money and now they want to do it again when we don't.

They're also the reason you have a weekend. I don't see you rushing to give that back?

smileyj1987

While I do agree with trade unions and the help and things they can do for you in employment . The trade union is out of line at this moment in time .

1). The company is barely holding on .
2). These people signed up to a job that would demand tough hours and a lot of flexibility .
3). The amount of people out of work that would gladly take the jobs and hours that goes with it is through the roof .

jmayo

Collie D wrote: »

Fixed that for you. The man's a bully

And that is the bully that made it possible for most Irish people to get on and off this bloody island, bar taking a boat, without having to fork out a few weeks or months salary.

I always remember hearing Tom Mcgurk gushing on Marian Finucane show about getting on Aer Lingus flight in London, having a fry and how it brought him closer to home back in 80s.
She quickly brought him back to earth by reminding him the flight was totally unaffordable to most people back then.

For as long as I remember Aer Lingus's primary function was to provide perks and jobs for life to it's employees and transportation to the Irish people, it's long term owners and benefactors, came a poor second.

tayto lover

irishfeen wrote: »

Of course it will happen eventually but I get the feeling if the staff go out again there could be a major public backlash for them, not Aer Lingus - maybe its something AL might actually want to see happen so they can hold the upper hand.

We have to remember that this airline is still part semi-state run, ~25% of this company is ours so we should be looking for the AL hierarchy to get the best deal for the taxpayer.

FFS the public didn't even protest the water charges, HHC or Property Tax.
The only public backlash was in the local elections when they didn't have to really do anything but put an X on a piece of paper.
This latest action by AL is just posturing and the workers know it.
Sit down and talk it out is the way to go.

My name is URL

jmayo wrote: »

And that is the bully that made it possible for most Irish people to get on and off this bloody island, bar taking a boat, without having to fork out a few weeks or months salary.

That itself has plenty of downsides. Why exactly should air-travel be cheap anyway?

suicide_circus

jmayo wrote: »

For as long as I remember Aer Lingus's primary function was to theyovide perks and jobs for life to it's employees and transportation to the Irish people, it's long term owners and benefactors, came a poor second.

+1
Older and retired EI staff have a pretty serious god complex, guess no obe told them they're glorified bus drivers and waitresses.

tayto lover

suicide_circus wrote: »

+1
Older and retired EI staff have a pretty serious god complex, guess no obe told them they're glorified bus drivers and waitresses.

Bus drivers and waitresses do very important jobs. Never look down your nose at anybody.

Hootanany

suicide_circus wrote: »

+1
Older and retired EI staff have a pretty serious god complex, guess no obe told them they're glorified bus drivers and waitresses.

I concur.

suicide_circus

tayto lover wrote: »

Bus drivers and waitresses do very important jobs. Never look down your nose at anybody.

Sorry comrade

frostyjacks

Where can I get one of these erotic rosters? They sound fun.

But seriously, people in cushy jobs striking over minimal inconvenience is laughable. They should swap jobs for a week with someone who works in the real world, they might appreciate the handy number they have then.

Cork Lass

suicide_circus wrote: »

+1
Older and retired EI staff have a pretty serious god complex, guess no obe told them they're glorified bus drivers and waitresses.

Shameful post. Degrading to all mentioned.

curioser

Sounds as if AL has decided to go sh1t or bust. They know that the cabin crew will go ape at the withdrawal of travel privileges and escalate the industrial action, whereupon the company will lay off a good chunk of the cabin crew and source a cheaper cohort of cabin crew in the US for the transatlantic service. Rather simplistic outline I know but I can see this as the endgame.

tayto lover

curioser wrote: »

Sounds as if AL has decided to go sh1t or bust. They know that the cabin crew will go ape at the withdrawal of travel privileges and escalate the industrial action, whereupon the company will lay off a good chunk of the cabin crew and source a cheaper cohort of cabin crew in the US for the transatlantic service. Rather simplistic outline I know but I can see this as the endgame.

Nah. It's like the lad in a fight shouting "let me at him" while being safely held back by his mates.

Beefy78

irishfeen wrote: »

I was under the impression that they had turned the corner, their new US Direct flights are doing very well and short distance flights were they last time I read doing well too??

Judging by the number of emails I get from them plugging extra sales promotions I'd guess that they're not doing as well this year as they had hoped.

curioser

curioser wrote: »

Sounds as if AL has decided to go sh1t or bust. They know that the cabin crew will go ape at the withdrawal of travel privileges and escalate the industrial action, whereupon the company will lay off a good chunk of the cabin crew and source a cheaper cohort of cabin crew in the US for the transatlantic service. Rather simplistic outline I know but I can see this as the endgame.

(Similar scenario to the Bausch & Lomb set up in Waterford, where the company puts a package that they know is unacceptable to the workforce, thereby setting up a position where they close down the plant, which is what they intended to do in the first place.)

ProfessorPlum

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

They are being unrealistic. Are lingus is barely hanging on, many more hits like this and the cabin crew will have no hours to work. Good luck to them when that happens.

Citation needed. Infact Aer Lingus is out performing most european and US carriers.

bumper234 wrote: »

the workers agreed a roster when they signed a contract of employment. Do you think anyone else can walk into their bosses office tomorrow and demand their working hours be changed?

The rosters they are working is not what they signed up for. There have been whole hosts of changes since many of them signed their contracts. If you actually looked at what's being asked for, and more importantly what would be accepted, you'll see that what's being asked is not unreasonable. Aer Lingus had the same response to pilot requests for a fixed pattern roster (available at many carriers, even Ryanair) and were not for turning until the pilots proved to them they could work the roster without any loss of productivity. Management just seemed not to be bothered before that, despite the fact that pilot sick leave had gone through the roof at that time (was still low in comparison to other sections, but v high for pilots). There is no reason that something acceptable to both sides can't be worked out, but they need to sit down and talk.

smileyj1987 wrote: »

While I do agree with trade unions and the help and things they can do for you in employment . The trade union is out of line at this moment in time .

1). The company is barely holding on .
2). These people signed up to a job that would demand tough hours and a lot of flexibility .
3). The amount of people out of work that would gladly take the jobs and hours that goes with it is through the roof .

1) The company is not barely holding on.
2) These people are happy to do a job that demands tough hours and a lot of flexibility.
3) In that case, lets pay everyone peanuts and treat them like sh1t, as surely there will be someone willing to take the jobs.

suicide_circus wrote: »

+1
Older and retired EI staff have a pretty serious god complex, guess no obe told them they're glorified bus drivers and waitresses.

You'll change your tune pretty quickly if you're ever on on aircraft that's having a problem. Amazing how the loud mouths suddenly get very quiet (apart from the whimpering)

Pumpkinseeds

It's getting to a point with Aer Lingus staff that if you're thinking of going away for a bank holiday weekend then you'd seriously consider flying with another airline. I'm glad Aer Lingus didn't roll over on this one. The staff will only have themselves to blame when the loss of revenue caused by strikes and the publics loss of confidence in Aer Lingus leads to job losses.

suicide_circus

Cork Lass wrote: »

Shameful post. Degrading to all mentioned.

Shameful? Lol. As someone who interacts with EI staff on a daily basis in work, I can tell you the majority are wedged firmly up their own holes.

Cork Lass

suicide_circus wrote: »

Shameful? Lol. As someone who interacts with EI staff on a daily basis in work, I can tell you the majority are wedged firmly up their own holes.

You sound like someone with an inferiority complex to be honest. As for bus drivers and waitresses, have you found all of them to be "up their holes" also. I stand by my comment - your post was shameful.

suicide_circus

Cork Lass wrote: »

You sound like someone with an inferiority complex to be honest. As for bus drivers and waitresses, have you found all of them to be "up their holes" also. I stand by my comment - your post was shameful.

Ok. I am shamed.

sid waddell

suicide_circus wrote: »

Shameful? Lol. As someone who interacts with EI staff on a daily basis in work, I can tell you the majority are wedged firmly up their own holes.

Perhaps they should all go and do what Bertie Ahern once asked the "naysayers" and the "doomsayers" to do, as your user name implies?

WilyCoyote

tayto lover wrote: »

Bus drivers and waitresses do very important jobs. Never look down your nose at anybody.

Ah Jasus Tayto. If you're ten or twenty thousand feet in the air and you're wheeling a trolley up and down the aisle ....... it's very difficult to look at anyone - either passengers or mere mortals walking the earth - unless it's down one's nose.