Aer Lingus Flight Attendants Stand Strong in Face of Management Attacks (AFL-CIO now blog)

February 24, 2012

Last year, a small and brave group of flight attendants approached the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) with a goal to become union members with rights to collective bargaining with their employer. Today, they are being attacked by a textbook anti-union campaign run by a management that boasts positive labor relations with the 1,100 unionized Aer Lingus Cabin Crew in Ireland. Management honors the contract in Ireland and works collaboratively with IMPACT, the union representing 65,000 transport workers, while imposing lesser pay, benefits, work rules and an oppressive work environment for the 53 American-based Aer Lingus flight attendants.

“The U.S. based flight attendants working for Aer Lingus perform the same essential first responder duties as their Irish counterparts and 25,000 United flight attendants, without the same pay, benefits and work rule protections afforded by a legally binding contract,” said AFA-CWA President Veda Shook.

This joint venture was dreamed up by management for the sole purpose of avoiding the legal obligations of a contract and a commitment to workers. It’s a failed labor model and the U.S. based Aer Lingus flight attendants made that clear by calling for an election to gain a voice at work and the right to collective bargaining.

Complete article in the AFL-CIO now blog