'Likely I am going to lose my home ' says Aer Lingus worker ahead of Manchester Airport strike

Upcoming travel disruption at Manchester Airport is expected as almost 130 Unite members working for Aer Lingus UK are currently being balloted to take strike action.

Workers including check-in staff and cabin crew have rejected a pay offer from Aer Lingus of 12 per cent over two years. 

While they recognise this is a high number on paper, base salaries are so low many say they cannot afford essentials such as rent, bills or groceries and this increase will not address the situation.  

Many workers have been left taking on second jobs or working so much overtime to improve their wages that they have been left at risk of burnout. 

Meanwhile, Aer Lingus recorded an operating profit of €205m for 2024, 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 the airline last year.  

It also served 11 million passengers, an almost three per cent increase on the previous year. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "While Aer Lingus senior management are greedily lining their pockets, hardworking members of staff are left struggling to afford the basics. 

"Unite will not stand idly by and let Aer Lingus put profits before people. Our members will have Unite's full support throughout this dispute." 

One Aer Lingus worker said: "My housing circumstances have recently changed and it looks likely that I am going to lose my home and have to move back in with my parents as my wage is too low." 

There is also a stark pay disparity with colleagues in Dublin, with crew based in the Irish capital enjoying far more favourable down-route allowances. This two-tier approach is causing frustration and a deep sense of unfairness at the Manchester base. 

One Aer Lingus worker said: "Every time I check into a hotel on seeing the check in sheet with the vast difference in allowances compared to our Dublin colleagues it saddens me, as I feel as if we are somehow less worthy to be treated equally. 

"Flying to a destination such as America is not cheap, and as prices continue to rise the amounts offered to us do not reflect this. We can't make healthy food choices as the UK workers constantly have to go with cheaper options." 

The ballot for strike action opened this week. It will close on October 13 and strikes could start as early as late October to coincide with the half term break. 

Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus is a major airline operating out of Manchester Airport's Terminal 2. It operates several direct flights each day to destinations including Dublin, Boston and Barbados, meaning any strike action will be extremely disruptive. 

Unite regional officer John O'Neill said: "We recognise anyone with upcoming Aer Lingus flights will be concerned to hear of potential strikes and how it may impact their travel plans, but workers feel they have no choice but to ballot for industrial action to make their voices heard. 

"Although on paper the company’s offer seems impressive, our members are telling us a very different story. Base pay is so low that people are struggling to cover essentials, for example we’ve had multiple reports of staff unable to afford their rent. 

"Aer Lingus must come back to the table with an improved offer to avoid any disruption."