This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6945179.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Aer Lingus pilots strike over pay | Aer Lingus pilots strike over pay |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Aer Lingus pilots are set to strike over plans to pay colleagues based in Northern Ireland less money than those in the Republic of Ireland. | Aer Lingus pilots are set to strike over plans to pay colleagues based in Northern Ireland less money than those in the Republic of Ireland. |
| The Irish national carrier last week announced 100 new jobs with the launch of new flights from Belfast. | The Irish national carrier last week announced 100 new jobs with the launch of new flights from Belfast. |
| However, it did not dispute claims that employees at its new Belfast hub would not be paid the same rates as staff south of the border. | However, it did not dispute claims that employees at its new Belfast hub would not be paid the same rates as staff south of the border. |
| Almost 500 pilots are to stage a strike next Tuesday and Wednesday. | Almost 500 pilots are to stage a strike next Tuesday and Wednesday. |
| The pilots' union said it would not allow Belfast based pilots to be treated as "second class citizens", according to Irish state broadcaster RTE. | The pilots' union said it would not allow Belfast based pilots to be treated as "second class citizens", according to Irish state broadcaster RTE. |
| It is understood Aer Lingus is seeking to recruit up to 30 pilots for its Belfast operation, as part of a £100m investment. | It is understood Aer Lingus is seeking to recruit up to 30 pilots for its Belfast operation, as part of a £100m investment. |
| Job losses | |
| It is expected all of Aer Lingus's air routes will be affected by the industrial action. | It is expected all of Aer Lingus's air routes will be affected by the industrial action. |
| The decision was taken at a meeting of members of the Irish Airline Pilots' Association branch of IMPACT at Dublin Airport on Monday. | The decision was taken at a meeting of members of the Irish Airline Pilots' Association branch of IMPACT at Dublin Airport on Monday. |
| Aer Lingus's Belfast venture means that flights between Shannon and Heathrow will stop with at least 40 resultant job losses anticipated. | Aer Lingus's Belfast venture means that flights between Shannon and Heathrow will stop with at least 40 resultant job losses anticipated. |
| In a statement, Aer Lingus said it was "angry and disappointed that pilots would choose to attack customers in an act of self-centred brinkmanship". | |
| "The company has been in negotiation with its pilots for some time now on a range of efficiencies that are essential to maintain competitiveness. | |
| "The recent announcement of the Belfast base is an entirely separate matter." | |
| It added: "Aer Lingus management is currently working on alternative arrangements and contingencies for customers on the days of the proposed strike actions. | |
| "Customers are advised that they are likely to face severe disruption." |