Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 479: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if she will support a matter (details supplied) [3759/11]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Aer Lingus cabin crew are currently engaged in 'work to rule' action at the airline over the introduction of new rosters. The action regrettably has resulted in disruption to services recently. I understand that new rostering arrangements have been introduced by the company under its "Greenfield" €97m cost saving plan and that cabin crew last year voted to accept the plan. A part of that agreement required that cabin crew would increase their working hours to 850 per year. The detailed arrangements necessary to meet the 850-hour condition were the subject of extensive negotiations last year and the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) issued a recommendation in August 2010. However, both sides failed to agree on certain technical aspects of the proposed new arrangements. I understand that Aer Lingus wrote to cabin crew employees on Thursday 13 January detailing the new roster arrangements and associated rules and that a number of cabin crew have been removed from the pay-roll for refusing to co-operate with the new rosters.

The LRC had facilitated meetings with both management and the unions up to and including 14 January last when an exploratory meeting with the parties was held. However, the Commission felt that it was unable to assist the parties further and additional talks were not arranged. In addition, IMPACT formally requested the Labour Court to intervene in the dispute. However, I understand that Aer Lingus have indicated that they do not wish to engage with the Court on the matter. In the absence of agreement of both parties, the Labour Court is not disposed to intervene at this stage. The LRC remains in touch with the parties. I would urge staff, their union representatives and management, to continue to work towards finding a resolution to this dispute. The LRC and the Labour Court are available to facilitate further consultations, if necessary. In my opinion, continued engagement with the State's industrial relations machinery offers the best way whereby the parties involved in this dispute can hope to resolve their differences.