Labour Court calls for fresh talks on Aer Lingus cabin-crew service dispute

In 1989, the Labour Court recommended that Aer Lingus and the Federated Workers' Union Of Ireland resume negotiations under a more flexible agenda over a new in-flight service on the Dublin-London route. As an interim measure, it recommended that cabin crews serve hot meals. The recommendation was signed on 10 October 1989. The dispute involved about 455 UK/ITX cabin crew. The union sought compensation and changes to the new service, while Aer Lingus said it was responding to competition and asked the Court to support a conciliation proposal. The Court said both sides had been reluctant to negotiate realistically. It accepted the service’s competitive purpose and the pressure it placed on crews, opposed restrictions on double London duties, and considered flight credits an appropriate form of compensation.