Well done Aer Lingus

893bet wrote: »

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.

ultimately that is what will happen on both sides, this action might drag it out for longer though

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

These unions are not acting in their members interests.

they are though, you may not agree with it but if the members didn't vote for a strike then there wouldn't be one

Collie D wrote: »

Fixed that for you. The man's a bully

You work for Aer Lingus don't you Collie D? :rolleyes:

Specialun wrote: »

The trade unions always threaten strike action very fast.

they don't

Specialun wrote: »

No way should Aer Lingus roll over for them

an agreement will be made, thats not "rolling over"

glued wrote: »

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.

acting for their members isn't going "to far" the company isn't being held to ransom either, strike was a last resort

comongethappy wrote: »

I've never worked in aviation, but I do know that is how every private company, everywhere, ever operates itself.

I agree. But for every private company there is also a contract of employment.

There obviously has to be dialogue between the company and it's employees in order to implement cost cutting measures.

The problem here is the company are not really engaging with employees but are implementing an erratic rostering system for a number of various reasons.

I'll give you an example. The Aerlingus rostering system is done in blocks of 3 weeks, so you know a week in advance what you will be doing for the next 3 weeks.

During that 3 weeks you might be off Monday. In 6am Tuesday, 6am Wednesday, 3pm Thursday, off Friday, 6am Saturday. 12 midday Sunday, 6am Monday, 3pm Tuesday, off Wedneday, back in again for 6am Thursday.

Body clock All over the shop. Getting into bed at 8pm one night for work and then the following night not landing until 11pm.

There is no logical reason why they have to roster like this , I know because I worked in the rostering system.

Aer Lingus had a monopoly for decades and often made an annual loss.

A monopoly. Of air travel. Making a loss. On an island.

Lord Trollington wrote: »

I agree. But for every private company there is also a contract of employment.

There obviously has to be dialogue between the company and it's employees in order to implement cost cutting measures.

The problem here is the company are not really engaging with employees but are implementing an erratic rostering system for a number of various reasons.

I'll give you an example. The Aerlingus rostering system is done in blocks of 3 weeks, so you know a week in advance what you will be doing for the next 3 weeks.

During that 3 weeks you might be off Monday. In 6am Tuesday, 6am Wednesday, 3pm Thursday, off Friday, 6am Saturday. 12 midday Sunday, 6am Monday, 3pm Tuesday, off Wedneday, back in again for 6am Thursday.

Body clock All over the shop. Getting into bed at 8pm one night for work and then the following night not landing until 11pm.

There is no logical reason why they have to roster like this , I know because I worked in the rostering system.

My girlfriend works in the hospitality sector, her hours/time off is very similar to what you've described above.. except she only finds out her roster at the end of every week.

No its not ideal but she knew what it was going to be like when she took the job, its the nature of the work/staffing..

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?

maybe they can, or maybe they are able to sit down with the employer and discuss it if there is an issue

jjbrien wrote: »

Ah geeze i know by the removing of free travel privileges it means another strike and I am booked in August with AL. I just want this over with.

So do the Cabin Crew.

Gone Drinking wrote: »

My girlfriend works in the hospitality sector, her hours/time off is very similar to what you've described above.. except she only finds out her roster at the end of every week.

No its not ideal but she knew what it was going to be like when she took the job, its the nature of the work/staffing..

Does her roster often get changed by several hours with very little notice? This is another problem.
Also in Aer Lingus, there are thousands of cabin crew. It's not like a smaller business trying to cover the hours / breaks etc. It should be possible to have a better roster pattern than they have. In fact, it should be possible to have a roster pattern period. They don't have any at present.
I think Aer Lingus would see the benefits if they gave it a go - happier work force, lower sick leave etc.

Gone Drinking wrote: »

My girlfriend works in the hospitality sector, her hours/time off is very similar to what you've described above.. except she only finds out her roster at the end of every week.

No its not ideal but she knew what it was going to be like when she took the job, its the nature of the work/staffing..

Does she leave the country everyday with the possibility of staying in another country at short notice or being chronically delayed by many hours.

I agree it's something she signed up to, but if what she signed up to was being made even more difficult on her surely she would question it.

Again when people do not understand the workings of the airline industry and indeed aerlingus it can be hard to comprehend.

There are thousands of staff in Aerlingus. Many prefer early flights. Many prefer late flights. Many prefer Europe only flights as they want to be home everyday for family reasons, others prefer transatlantic over night stays. You are encouraged to tell aerlingus which you prefer as it should in theory make it easier for them to roster everyone fairly and prevent unneeded sick leave and absenteeism.

The problem is for one reason or another people who prefer Europe flights are deliberately being given transatlantic flights, people who prefer late flights are being rostered 3 x 5am starts in row and then 2 late flights for no apparent reason or logic.

As I said there are thousands working in Aerlngus. Rostering can be complex but there is absolutely no reason for rostering people the way they are.

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

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

you won't get a penny

minidazzler wrote: »

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.

its only weekend plans, has to be done, all other options were exausted

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.

nothing wrong with the boat, i use the boat and go by train, a lot longer yes but a lot less hassle, my trips would be leasure though

jmayo wrote: »

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.

rubbish

end of the road wrote: »

no it isn't "proper order" its counter productive, will inflame tensions and will make it much harder to come to an agreement

And if they can't reach agreement, the company should just accept the workers demands?