Travel Disruption Expected at Manchester Airport as Aer Lingus Workers Balloted for Strike Action
The ballot for strike action opened this week and will close on October 13. This comes after nearly 130 members of Unite, who work for Aer Lingus UK, rejected a pay offer of 12% over two years. The affected staff, who work in multiple departments including cabin crew and check-in, are facing financial struggles due to low base salaries. As a result, they are being forced to take on second jobs or work excessive overtime, leading to potential burnout.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham has accused Aer Lingus senior management of prioritizing their own profits over the well-being of their hardworking employees. She stated that Unite will not stand by and let the company put profits before people, and that their members have full support in this dispute.
The ballot for strike action will close on October 13 and strikes could begin as early as late October, coinciding with the upcoming half-term break. Aer Lingus operates from Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport and also has flights from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Dublin.
Aer Lingus, the national airline of Ireland, was established in 1936 and currently operates more than 100 routes worldwide. It has been awarded four stars by Skytrax, the international air transport rating organization. Passengers can fly from Liverpool to Dublin or connect to destinations in the United States such as New York, Boston, and Philadelphia from Manchester.
According to Unite, in 2024, Aer Lingus recorded an operating profit of €205m and its top three executives received almost €2. 8m in core director remuneration. The airline also served 11 million passengers, a 3% increase from the previous year.
There is also a significant pay gap between workers in Dublin and those in Manchester, with Dublin-based crew receiving more favorable down-route allowances. This two-tier approach has caused frustration and a feeling of unfairness among workers in Manchester, according to Unite.
Unite regional officer John O’Neill has stated that although the potential for strikes may cause concern for those with upcoming Aer Lingus flights, workers feel they have no choice but to take this action to make their voices heard. Despite the seemingly impressive pay offer on paper, base pay is so low that employees are struggling to cover essentials, such as rent. O’Neill is calling for Aer Lingus to come back to the negotiating table with an improved offer to avoid any disruptions.
In response to the ballot for strike action, an Aer Lingus spokesperson expressed disappointment and stated that the company had negotiated in good faith with Unite, taking into account market pay in the UK. They also mentioned that they had reached agreements on two separate comprehensive and market-competitive pay deals that were recommended by Unite, based on a recommendation following a detailed conciliation process at ACAS.