Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
AER LINGUS HAS told staff it will be reducing working hours and staff wages by 50% next month due to travel restrictions and reduced demand amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
The airline told trade unions today that it will be operating just 20-25% of the usual number of flights in the coming weeks, with the effect that staff earnings will be reduced.
Ryanair, which has announced “most if not all” of its flights from 24 March will be cancelled, said it is looking at a similar move, along with voluntary departures and temporarily suspending work contracts.
Aer Lingus said the reduction in earnings will be implemented equally across the company, with all grades – including senior management – experiencing a 50% cut.
“Because the cut is due to short-time working, staff may qualify for social welfare payments,” a spokesperson for Fórsa Trade Union said.
Fórsa said it was assured by Aer Lingus that these are emergency, temporary measures and that normal pay and conditions will be restored once the situation has normalised.
Fórsa official Ashley Connolly said: “This is obviously devastating news for cabin crew and other Aer Lingus staff struggling to pay rent and mortgages. We will be advising them about their rights to social welfare payments and other protections.
The union has been in intensive talks with Aer Lingus management over the last few days with the aim of minimising the impact of this crisis on jobs and incomes. Given the impact of the public health crisis on the airline industry, we’re relieved that we have been able to keep everyone in a job.
Fórsa said it remains in discussions with other airlines including Stobart and Ryanair, as well as the agencies that provide cabin crew to Ryanair.
A spokesperson for Aer Lingus told TheJournal.ie that the airline will continue to communicate with staff during this period.
Watch now as Ryanair dump all their “contractors” out on street, and expect society to foot the bill, social dumping at it’s best.
Fair play to Aer Lingus for finding a compromise during incredibly difficult times.
@Chris: Ah now come on. You wouldn’t expect Ryanair to carry any financial burden in the interest of the sociaty that keeps them in business would you? They only made a little over 1 billion euro profit in 2019.
@Chris: companies that make profit bad, boring. How about looking at the millions upon millions they have paid in wages vat corporation tax.
@Chris: how on earth can you castigate Ryanair for something they haven’t done?!
@john s: they don’t generate VAT, it is imposed by Goverbment. Your VAT payment follows your purchase and has little to do with Ryanair.
@Zlim Jody: true but if they did not sell and sell and sell seats then the vat would not be generated
@john s: haha!
At least all are suffering a cut but it would be better if senior management took a higher percentage cut than those on the lowest salaries.
@Earth Traveller: why is that? Senior management should be disproportionately discriminated against is it? They already pay 3/4 times the amount of tax that cabin crew staff would! Some people in this country just aren’t happy that others can do well and have a good, well paid job. It’s a sad mindset to have
@guineon: you can’t be talking like that on hear. They’ll be out to lynch ya.
@guineon: stop telling the truth they won’t like it
@guineon: they all want a communist type society and ye know what…they might get it.
@Earth Traveller: Don’t be saying those type of things. Apparently if you question the system you are a commi.
@guineon: It is not discrimination – it is a decision that senior management should take for several reasons: 1. The top people get performance related bonuses – maybe not this year but they got them in the past and they will get them again. 2. Senior people have been in jobs longer and are more secure financially – they can weather the storm better than younger colleagues who are more likely to have loan payments, rent, childcare, etc. 3. A 50 percent cut is more devastating to someone on a basic salary than those on hundreds of thousands.
The last place I worked also went through bad times with mandatory pay cuts – the lowest paid took the smallest percentage cuts and more senior took bigger percentages – I took the biggest cut because I was the boss. In extraordinary circumstances empathy and leadership is needed.
Quick thinking .Good Plan .
Will the teachers wages be cut by 50% now schools are closed?
@conriel: stop no public sector will
@conriel: no but your taxes will go up to pay for it….
@john s: Those blasted public servants who are contracting the virus as we speak to save lives.
I actually hate them… let’s blame them
@New Remedy Europe: we were talking about teachers. But go ahead and twist things
@john s: If you’re told to stay away from work 203 private sector, full pay if you’re public sector, and we’re all in it Together!
@john s: “NONE of the PUBLIC SECTOR will”
But go ahead and lie.
Problem is, when all the dust settles and the carcasses litter the landscape, O’Leary will emerge with a monopoly and fleece us all for the foreseeable future.
@Martin: wow alot of haters here . Predicting o’Leary as a bad guy sad
@Martin: fleece us? Their whole business model is low fares
@Keith Grant: Do you not understand basic economics and monopolies?
@john s: MOL &FR use to deploy extra Aircraft on routes a new operation would be flying slashing the fares.
Untill the airline drops the route and hey presto Ryanair put the prices up even more.
@Martin: I own a business so I understand economics just fine, I understand it so well that I realise we have a competition authority in this country that doesn’t allow monopolies… That’s why they weren’t allowed buy air lingus
Trying to get my money back from them is like getting blood from a stone. Absolutely no communication no matter what you try.
@Sea Graham: I know the feeling I was on hold for 5 hours then they cut me off I also want my money back
Economy is screwed. Time to emigrate. Oh wait…
Are they giving refunds for flights to Italy in July can anyone tell me?
@Kieran Stafford: probably not until nearer the time. I suppose it depends on whether they are flying there at the time
Good luck with S.W. Some things never change.
Aer Lingus are no better.
Don’t be fooled. Yesterday, all staff were told they would be cut back to 50% hours and wages. They were happy with this considering the current circumstances.
However, today nearly all temporary staff, those working for Aer Lingus nearly 3 years and expecting to be made permanent this year, have been notified that their contracts will be terminated next Friday.
Aer Lingus are no better.
Don’t be fooled. Yesterday, all staff were told they would be cut back to 50% hours and wages. They were happy with this considering the current circumstances.
However, today nearly all temporary staff, those working for Aer Lingus nearly 3 years and expecting to be made permanent this year, have been notified that their contracts will be terminated next Friday.
The published news to the media looks good when compared to other airlines but are they playing politics with the media?
Disgraceful lack of loyalty to those who were proud to be part of the Aer Lingus team and loved their job.
Aer Lingus are no better.
Don’t be fooled. Yesterday, all staff were told they would be cut back to 50% hours and wages. They were happy with this considering the current circumstances.
However, Today nearly all temporary staff, those working for Aer Lingus nearly 3 years and expecting to be made permanent this year, have been notified that their contracts will be terminated next Friday.
The published news to the media looks good when compared to other airlines but are they playing politics with the media?
Disgraceful lack of loyalty to those who were proud to be part of the Aer Lingus team and loved their job.
have your say