Noonan calls on both sides to avert in Aer Lingus bank-holiday strike

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan appealed to both sides in the Aer Lingus dispute to avert the weekend's threatened flight disruption.

He said workers looking forward to a break this weekend would have their plans totally demolished if the strike went ahead. “I am sure there are faults on both sides,” he said.

Mr Noonan was replying to Independent TD Clare Daly, who said Taoiseach Enda Kenny had said he would listen to the people. "I put it to him that the first test in this regard concerns the imminent strike action by Aer Lingus cabin crew. Some 1,000 cabin crew members have made a last-ditch cry for help in their decision to take to the picket lines this bank holiday weekend in a dispute over rosters."

'Inaccurate propaganda' Ms Daly said contrary to the "expensive and inaccurate propaganda by the company in blaming the Impact trade union and staff", the sole responsibility for the dispute lay with management.

Management had sought to portray the strike as staff seeking an additional 32 days off, Ms Daly said, despite knowing full well no proposal would result in any staff member working fewer hours or gaining additional time off. All the staff were asking was that time off be given in a planned and family-friendly manner, she said.

Mr Noonan said there were differing views on the merits of the dispute. “I argue that both sides should use the mediation machinery of the State to try to resolve the issue. We are all aware of how the people have suffered. Are they to be made suffer again over the June bank holiday weekend?”