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Result of ballot on cost saving measures by Aer Lingus cabin crew

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05-Mar-2010 Aer Lingus cabin crew workers have rejected a cost saving proposal which was negotiated between IMPACT trade union and Aer Lingus management at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) in November 2009.

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The ballot was defeated with 36% in favour and 64% against on a 100% turnout.

The union had recommended the approval of the measures to cabin crew. IMPACT had, however, acknowledged that aspects of the proposals would be very difficult for members to accept.

IMPACT said that it the proposals were recommended on the basis that it would minimise job losses, and help sustain the future of the airline.

The union said that the proposals were extremely unpalatable to many members, as they had been tabled less than a year (November 2008) after cabin crew had agreed to substantial cost saving measures, valued by Aer Lingus at €15 million at the time.

IMPACT today acknowledged that the cabin crew branch committee, composed of cabin crew workers, had worked extremely hard to reach an agreement, which had involved lengthy negotiations at the Labour Relations Commission.

On the eve of concluding the negotiations last November, Aer Lingus had released a statement threatening up to 1,100 compulsory redundancies if agreement was not reached; a move which angered many Aer Lingus staff at the time.

As the ballot was being conducted last week, the company briefed selected journalists and issued the same threat again, which IMPACT believes had an extremely negative effect on the ballot outcome.