Aer Lingus' trouble continues: pilots consider joining action

Aer Lingus' industrial dispute with its cabin crew has entered its seventh day, and has intensified as the airline's pilots threaten support (Tribune, 23-Jan-2011). The dispute over the new rosters, which Impact trade union claims are incompatible with family life for the largely female cabin crew base, has cancelled 30 flights, affecting 3000 passengers. Aer Lingus, however, remains confident it would provide full services throughout the dispute by wet-leasing aircraft. An Impact spokesman stated there is a difference of only 20 hours per week between the two sides, and urged the airline "to come to the table".