In 2001, the Labour Court recommended a pay and conditions package for Aer Lingus cabin crew, including a £2,000 annual increase for current permanent staff and full-time contracts for existing part-time permanent and temporary staff. The recommendation was signed on 22 January after a dispute with the Irish Municipal, Public And Civil Trade Union involving about 1,824 cabin crew.
The union sought higher pay and an end to part-time contracts, and said the proposed changes would harm cabin crew members’ time off. Aer Lingus said it could address the claims only in return for operational flexibilities, citing costs and competition. The Court accepted that the company’s proposals as presented would significantly affect crew members’ lifestyle and free time, while noting that future employees would not have had the existing agreements’ benefits.
The Court recommended a new pay scale from £13,000 to £22,500 and promotions for 30 cabin crew. It also recommended full-time contracts for existing part-time permanent and temporary staff, alongside some company proposals on crewing, coupling, training and rosters, with conditions and protections. Pension negotiations were to continue through conciliation, with a separate referral to the Court if required.