Aer Lingus

Air traffic controllers in Ireland have voted for 24-hour strikes this Thursday after several weeks of unofficial overtime ban. The strike, organised by the Balpa union, is likely to ground flights at all three airports.

The Irish Examiner reported that union SIPTU's 1,800 ground staff will be carrying out four-hour rolling stoppages in Cork, Dublin and Shannon on the two days. Last night, the severity of the action looked likely to intensify as company sources said the airline would suspend workers who took part.

Aer Lingus is planning to open a new hub at Belfast airport, which would involve some flights to and from London being diverted from Shannon. Aer Lingus is planning to use this as an opportunity to cut pay and conditions as it employs new staff at Belfast on lower pay and conditions than existing staff.

The Irish Times reported that in a letter sent to Siptu union president Jack O'Connor, Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion said the pay of "all staff involved in the stoppage will be deducted for the period of the stoppage".