Flight disruption at Manchester Airport as Aer Lingus workers will strike

Disruption to Aer Lingus flights at Manchester Airport expected later this month as 130 cabin crew workers have voted to strike.

The members of Unite have rejected a pay rise of nine per cent this year and three per cent next year.  

While they recognise this seems like a high number, the reality is that base salaries are so low workers have struggled to afford basics such as housing and bills.  

Many have also taken on second jobs or worked large amounts of overtime to try and make up for the shortfall in pay, leaving them at risk of stress and burnout. 

Aer Lingus is a major airline operating out of Manchester Airport's Terminal 2, with several flights each day to destinations including Dublin, Boston and Barbados.  

The Irish flag carrier, it is highly profitable and last year recorded an operating profit of €205m, while three top executives including its chief executive and chief financial officer earned the bulk of almost €2.8m in core director remuneration paid by Aer Lingus last year. 

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." 

Crew based in Manchester have far lower flying allowances than their colleagues based in Dublin. Aer Lingus has offered its Manchester workers an increase of $15 in the US overnight allowance to $130, however this does not go far enough to address the imbalance. 

After 90 per cent of workers involved in the dispute voted to take industrial action, they will walk out from October 30 to November 2. 

Aer Lingus has already said it is employing union busting tactics. It is planning to run flights run by non-Unite members to Dublin from Manchester, with long-haul flights then going from the Irish capital.  

This will also cause more disruption for passengers as they will face delays to their destination and changes to flights. 

Unite regional officer John O'Neill added: "We know anyone who is flying on these dates will be concerned about the impact on their travels, but our members have overwhelmingly voted for strike action as they feel they have had no choice. 

"Aer Lingus can afford to come back to the table with a better offer that addresses years of low pay and the fact that so many of our members are struggling to afford the basics. Instead of employing union busting tactics, they should come back to the negotiating table to end this dispute."