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Flood defence work went on late into last night in Athlone. RollingNews.ie

Worst of flooding still to come along Shannon river

Water levels are expected to peak this weekend.

Updated: 12.40am

MEMBERS OF THE Defence Forces are continuing to assist council staff with flood defence efforts in Clare, Limerick and Westmeath today.

Two sections of 15 troops were deployed yesterday to Clonlara, Clare; a platoon of 35 troops was sent to Athlone, Westmeath; and some 30 troops were drafted in to support residents in Castleconnell, Limerick.

Water levels in the Shannon are expected to peak on Sunday night into Monday morning, causing further major flooding in areas along the river bank.

In Athlone, one of the worst-hit areas, water and sewage are reported to have come up through drains last night as the river burst its banks.

There will be calmer weather today and tomorrow, but heavy rain is forecast for the weekend across parts of Munster.

storm desmond members of the defence forces help o Members of the Defence Forces help out with relief efforts. RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

The Irish Red Cross is continuing to distribute bottled water to residents affected by the flooding.

The ESB has warned that the flow of water down the River Shannon through Parteen Weir will remain at 375 cumecs (cubic metres per second) today.

Members of the public have been advised to avoid walking close to swollen rivers until it is safe to do so.

Read: Army deployed to four counties as severe flooding continues

Read: Alex White talks energy and climate change with TheJournal.ie

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A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

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33 Comments
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    Mute Alan Reardon
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    Jun 6th 2014, 8:56 PM

    RIP Aer Lingus, passengers just won’t fly with them with all this uncertainty.

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    Mute Roy Scott
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:15 PM

    Agree I got caught last Friday, and have a booking to go on 18th , so caught again ! I will move away I can’t have this messing.

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    Mute Geoff Walsh
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    Jun 6th 2014, 11:05 PM

    Same here! If they mess up my trip I certainly won’t ever give them my business again. Seems like the cabin crew have no respect for customers, I understand they have an issue which needs to be addressed fairly but pissing of paying customers is only going to drive people to other airlines. Bad for everyone in aerlingus in the long run!!!!!

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    Mute Seeking Truth
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    Jun 7th 2014, 8:26 AM

    Yeah me too, flight booked for the 18th. Seriously annoying.

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    Mute Shane Russell
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    Jun 6th 2014, 8:51 PM

    They’re only harming themselves when staff will have to be let go when nobody wants to chance flying with them. Work is ment to be tough, at least you get to fly around the world and see places some can only dream off.

    Cop on and welcome to the real world.

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    Mute Rob Stafford
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    Jun 6th 2014, 8:57 PM

    Shane read johns comment makes sense. To start of with out cabin crew don’t leave the plane on short haul flights. That’s their real world might not be yours.

    80
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    Mute galway2007
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:01 PM

    Real world???
    You dress the job up well

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    Mute Peter Gavin
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:14 PM

    Short haul is tough but those lucky enough to do long haul get good perks. Passengers are asleep for a large portion of the flight and crew get a few days off in San Francisco or similar. They knew they were taking a job with erratic work schedules. That’s the nature of the business. If they don’t like it then get another job

    193
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    Mute Joe McDonnell
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    Jun 6th 2014, 10:35 PM

    11.5 hour flight to San Fran, one night there then 11.5 hours home is not a few days in San Fran. Count up the two shift hours worked and balance that against time difference and 1 nights sleep and tell me thats a perk? You get one rest day after it then you could be back on an early the next day which is up at 4am and then you can be changed by 4 hours on the day by the company. You can work 4/5 days in a row, 1 day off then 4 days, 1 day off, 1 day in and 1 off etc.. this all contributes to fatigue on top of jet leg, them erratic days in/days off are easily solved but the company won’t bother.
    All this shortening of rest days, big changes to what you be changed to on the day. The crew have given the company pay freezes for the last number of years

    88
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    Mute gerbreen
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    Jun 6th 2014, 11:24 PM

    Is long haul seen as a good time or something to be avoided?

    9
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    Mute Shane Russell
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:13 AM

    You go out on a Friday night, you go the shop and get a packet of fags, you go to a restaurant and get a meal, you go the pub for a few drinks and you get a taxi home. I guarantee every single person you have dealt with works more hours for less pay and half the benefits.

    That’s just one example.

    35
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    Mute Joe McDonnell
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:40 AM

    @gerbeen San Fran is seen as torture. New York, Boston and Chicago are seen as alright. Orlando is seen as a decent trip because its generally 2 or 3 night stay due to there only being three flights a week to there. A lol of senior people request the likes of Orlando and get them plus a lot of people commute from everywhere from Newry to Mullingar to Wexford and they likes T/A flights due to them having to travel to Dublin less days a week.

    @Shane Russell how many of these people work and live through jet leg and circadium rhythm upsets? it’s always easy to point in from the outside and says thats easy what are they complaining about. I’ve a fair few friends that are cabin crew and I see this first hand. I work more hours than them in my job and I have a much better balance in life. These people love their line of work but the current rostering system doesn’t sense with split days off everywhere, minimum rest periods etc when its obvious to those working there that there is a solution to it but the company don’t want to give in.
    Again frontline staff are what makes these companys work and are the face of the company similarly to postmen etc.. but they’re the least well paid within their companies

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Jun 7th 2014, 8:07 AM

    Split days off isn’t fair. A 5:2 roster would surely resolve this?

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    Mute Jonathan Morgan
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:25 PM

    The issue with 5:2 is that some people will never get weekends off. 5:3 offers a rolling system of days off so you get a weekend off every 3-4 weeks. The theory is to do 5 long days (8-11 hours) then get 3 days off in a block. Airline schedules don’t lend themselves to neat 7-8 hour days. This condense the work but offers quality time off to recover, so less long term illness.
    But as stated above, a compromise could be worked out, 5:2:5:3, or even 6:3:5:2. All its takes it a trial to figure out the most efficient way for the company.

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    Mute Name Change Test
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:04 PM

    LOL, I am flying to the US on Monday 16th June for my brothers wedding, and I booked with United Airlines months ago deliberately avoiding Aer Lingus for this very reason. United were actually cheaper too so it turns out I made the right choice.

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    Mute Irene Millar
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:12 PM

    Good for you!! Enjoy the wedding, hope none of the rest of the family booked with aer lingus!!

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    Mute Emily Martin
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    Jun 6th 2014, 11:29 PM

    I’d check that- United & Aer Lingus do code shares…..

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    Mute richardmccarthy
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:38 AM

    Same here,booked on a US carrier for a Sep trip to Louisiana,just cant risk AL, agressive self harm has been shown to be a hallmark sign that things are not well upstairs,i guess that includes unions.

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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Jun 6th 2014, 8:51 PM

    That’ll improve summer passenger numbers.

    218
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    Mute Wild Rover
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:46 PM

    It seems to be any time Aer Lingus try to adapt their business to be competitive the union find some way to try and destroy the airline.
    They seem like a bunch not open to change.
    In the end the union reps will have their wages and pensions as for the rest who knows.

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    Mute Darren Doheny
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:48 PM

    Completely agree! Surely they are not asking for any more than other airlines implement. Is there a international standard for this anyway?

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    Mute Eoin Naughton
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    Jun 6th 2014, 11:29 PM

    When you know the real facts and aren’t fed the bs aer lingus management spout you’d know that the current rostering system isn’t cost effective and the one the unions putting forward is a lot more cost effective. Aer Lingus management just don’t want to give in to the unions

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    Mute Gizzie
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    Jun 6th 2014, 11:38 PM

    Tell us more Eoin Naughton…show is the figures?

    39
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    Mute Eoin Naughton
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    Jun 6th 2014, 11:42 PM

    You might ask rte journo ingrid miley as she got the info before the union even got the chance to tell their members. Leak in aer lingus it seems

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Jun 6th 2014, 11:56 PM

    So you don’t know Eoin. My view of the Michael Landers is exactly that. Short on detail.

    38
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    Mute Jonathan Morgan
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:31 AM

    Funny how in this situation its the company refusing to change….same as they refused 2 years ago to trial the (now successfully implemented) roster change for pilots.

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    Mute Alan Rooney
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    Jun 7th 2014, 2:38 AM

    I really feel sorry for Aer Lingus, if only it was as easy as sacking them all and replacing them! Seems to me like it’s all just for ransom! Definitely not good for an already struggling airline, and I’ve definitely decided I won’t be booking my summer flights with them, which is unfortunate!

    43
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    Mute Arthur FitzPatrick
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    Jun 7th 2014, 9:57 AM

    What a stupid typical union workers reply. Blame management! if I had my way I would fire the whole lot of them and reemploy new staff with no union. Problem solved.

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    Mute john smith
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    Jun 7th 2014, 7:38 PM

    Is that why hundreds of young people cannot get a quality job that gives them some quality of life ,look at all jobs now not now quality one in sight ,so it’s up to the workers now to fight that for the next generation think outside the box

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    Mute Alan Rooney
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    Jun 8th 2014, 12:42 AM

    You could also look at it from another perspective. If things carry on the way they are in Aer Lingus, the jobs won’t be there for the next generation. The airline has been on it’s knees for the past number of years, only recently things are looking up but it’s one obstacle after another and it simply won’t be viable to continue.
    With regard to fighting for the next generation, things have changed, they will never be as they were before, look in any industry to see that. Unrealistic and unfair expectations on their part if you ask me.

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    Mute Willy Moon
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    Jun 6th 2014, 8:49 PM

    This will get dirty me thinks

    168
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    Mute Tony Hartigan
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:47 AM

    Why not have the BALLS and go on full strike. People would know where they stood then.

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    Mute Shane Lambert
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:23 PM

    This Country is unbelievable for the last 6 years we have heard how greed, corruption and all that comes with it has ruined the Country, how peoples rights and entitlements have been taken from them and how people should make a stand! Well here you have a group of workers making a stand, looking for nothing more than reasonable rational rosters that give them a chance of planning ahead and having a bit of a family life as opposed to the organised chaos they operate within now and what are people doing getting on their backs, scaremongering with Ryanair etc. Jesus folks is it really a race to the bottom we want, with jobs like the US where we can be fired at a whim and have to beg for the basic of entitlements like Leave??? Fair play to the Cabin Crew for standing up to management in Aer Lingus the same management who were happy to bump a 15% increase on to their pension contribution whilst the staff were ricking losing theirs!

    134
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    Mute Rob Stafford
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:38 PM

    Nice one Shane ! Couldn’t agree more.

    71
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    Mute Name Change Test
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:39 PM

    Yes but making life hell for the public who have flight plans on those days is a truly disgusting tactic, and not the correct approach in my opinion.

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    Mute Shane Lambert
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:45 PM

    So what tactic should they use so, I am reasonable sure they would rather be in work earning their full wages and not being docked and not inconveniencing yourself or other members of the public but unfortunately if management will not play ball that is the only tactic that can make them and if we as workers stuck together and supported each other in these times then we would be far better off as a society!

    65
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:57 PM

    It’s a very short-sighted tactic. They are doing incredible damage to the airline (and ultimately their jobs) in the long term. Passengers are moving away from the airline in their droves because of fear their flight won’t go ahead. These strike threats have been going on for years now and at some point people will just say enough is enough I’ll choose a different airline and book in confidence.

    47
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    Mute Joe McDonnell
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    Jun 6th 2014, 10:45 PM

    the company are doing themselves damage and are trying to project it through propaganda onto the workers. The company won’t negotiate and have ignored invitations to the LRC for over three years. They have given the company pay freezes and a lot of their conditions over the last few years to help get the company back on track and this is another example of frontline workers being bullied and targeted by management and corporate interests

    45
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    Mute gerbreen
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:00 AM

    The company could put itself up for sale in various lots. Now that would put the cat amongst the pigeons.

    6
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    Mute IrishGravyTrain
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:08 PM

    Must be killing them that the next bank holiday is 2 months away.

    133
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    Mute Craig Barry
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:03 PM

    If they keep this up they wont have any jobs to go to…

    129
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    Mute John Burke
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    Jun 6th 2014, 8:51 PM

    Why won’t management even try the alternate roster? It can’t do any harm. Do management in 2014 not want a happy workforce who have given huge sacrifice to turn aer lingus around. What’s mullers early wage again. Work together people. Save us from Ryanair.

    126
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    Mute RonanM
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    Jun 6th 2014, 8:59 PM

    Read the article they cant increases costs when Ryanair are next door.

    57
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    Mute John Burke
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:03 PM

    Gluck O’Leary, just because he screws his staff doesn’t mean everyone should. Society needs strong workers rights not management bully tactics.

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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:06 PM

    I always find Ryanair pleasant and hassle-free to fly with. You would swear your life is at risk flying with them the way they are portrayed. At least you can guarantee your flight will go ahead and you’re not left stranded by repeated strikes and the anxiety of strike threats constantly looming.

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    Mute John Burke
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:11 PM

    In Ryanair when you apply for a/l HR respond by email no reason no debate. If trying to arrange life, kids,social life you are at their mercy. As a society we must fight zero hour contracts or society decays.

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    Mute Jonathan Morgan
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:21 PM

    No evidence that the proposed roster will increase costs. As long as the same amount of flying is done who cares how they are rostered. In the long run it may actually reduce costs as ad hoc sick leave (sickies) will drop, more transparent resource planning for EI, less work required by the planning dept. I’m sure setting up a base for 300 staff in the USA will not be cheap. The decision to not even trial it for 3 month over the winter has already cost 8-10M, now it will cost double that.

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    Mute Thomas O'Connor
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    Jun 6th 2014, 10:19 PM

    Companies have better things to do than play against halfwits such my nuts

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    Mute Jason Davis
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    Jun 6th 2014, 10:56 PM

    I worked for FR, never heard of zero hour contracts, never had an issue with booking leave or with HR. Great company to work for.

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    Mute John Burke
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    Jun 6th 2014, 11:45 PM

    Bull crap

    14
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    Mute Harry byrne
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:04 PM

    Would not surprise me if Aer Lingus are training US based cabin crew already..The Irish based Cabin crew will get there 5 on 3 off but wont be flyin Transatlantic only European routes…I can see Job losses here

    126
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    Mute gerbreen
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    Jun 6th 2014, 10:52 PM

    After the Shannon threats last year, that ia exactly what they will do. But they will uae agency staff.

    Impact will kill the golden goose for their staff.

    51
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    Mute Jonny Duffy
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:01 PM

    I’d be interested to hear Aer Lingus’ side of this. I’m sure there’s more to this than what has already been said in the article by just the Union.

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Jun 6th 2014, 11:06 PM

    36 hour ave
    0.1% do 60 hours

    Union I haven’t heard any stats other than the usual bluster. Hope Landers has his strike pay lined up for the girls and boys.

    35
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    Mute Joe McDonnell
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:53 AM

    where did you get 36 hours from?
    If crew work double Londons which they do regularly it count as around a 5 hour day. But in reality it’s a 10 hour day because you’ve 4 flights to load, 4 flights to empty. Because these flights are so short you don’t get a break on board, you don’t get a break in between flights becuase of the turnaround. Crew gave up their mealbreaks a couple of years ago to the company in order to facilitate these flights to help productivity. They took pay freezes. In return the company halved their commission for anything they sell on board so there’s no real inticement by the crew to push sales when they get very little in return from the company

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Jun 7th 2014, 8:01 AM

    That’s what AL said. Don’t shoot the messenger. Get your union to shoot down AL with figures.

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    Mute tom
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    Jun 6th 2014, 8:59 PM

    A bit of balance here. Muller gives himself a big pay hike and that’s ok?
    As for Ryanair, their cabin crew work on zero hour contracts. Is that the way way we want to go as a society?
    Would you like to have no guarantee of working next week?

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    Mute Darren Doheny
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:51 PM

    He is one of the lowest paid CEO’s in his field and he has turned the company around. He gets paid because he is performing.

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    Mute Harry byrne
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:53 PM

    If fairness Darren he pays himself a low wage but his stock options are off the charts

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    Mute Andrew Hickey
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:56 PM

    Wrong. He gets paid because the staff perform.

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Jun 6th 2014, 10:37 PM

    Made to perform. The green grannies ain’t happy. I’m booked in July with them. Never again.

    Just stick in a few vending machines.

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    Mute Jonathan Morgan
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:27 PM

    He earns more than that CEO of BA, United and Emirates if you look at total package in relation to fleet size and airline turnover.

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    Mute Barney Blarney
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:28 PM

    My young son watching the news asked me why we have booked Aer Lingus going on our summer holidays when they might be “closed” that day. I can only say to him that having always booked Aer Lingus, even when more expensive, that we won’t be ever booking with them again. Interestingly for me, as a frequent business traveller, Ryanair are now offered as an option and pushing for business in market that was previously closed to them. I would NEVER have considered this in the past but no choice now, enough is enough.

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    Mute Brian Horton
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    Jun 6th 2014, 11:17 PM

    I’d say he was asleep by the end of that story.

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    Mute Ian Crowley
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    Jun 6th 2014, 11:55 PM

    Craicing my hole laughing! Comment of the day.

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    Mute Peter McKevitt
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:03 PM

    Give BA some more slots from Dublin and Cork,FFS.

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    Mute Rónán O'Suilleabháin
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    Jun 6th 2014, 11:42 PM

    This. I recently moved back to cork and travel for work, and with only LHR and AMS for connecting flights, I’m trapped by aer-lingus code shares.

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    Mute Peter McKevitt
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    Jun 6th 2014, 11:45 PM

    Welcome to the club

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    Mute Andi Darby
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    Jun 7th 2014, 8:41 AM

    Can you connect through Manchester with Regional?

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    Mute Peter McKevitt
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    Jun 7th 2014, 11:40 AM

    Yes. Got back last Friday via Manchester

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    Mute James Murphy
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:35 PM

    Jesus christ, they’re on a different planet to everyone else. This is going to affect thousands of people and stop people flying with them. I’ve booked a flights with them in august and will not use them again after that.

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    Mute Joe McDonnell
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    Jun 6th 2014, 10:41 PM

    so nobody has a right to stand up for themselves becuase it will affect thousands of people? there’s over 1000 staff being affected by this and you don’t consider them. The company have escalated the problem and they have refused invitations by the union to the LRC for over three years.
    I have booked flights in July and September, but I support the workers 100%. Both sides will have to meet somewhere in between but the company don’t seem to want to budge

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    Mute Colin Bolger
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    Jun 6th 2014, 10:59 PM

    Nice one, a voice of reason. The staff want to avoid strikes too. Management typical bullying tactics and blaming the union ( who are standing up for workers rights) . Muller alright tho, sitting on his fat bonus that gombeen o’leary and his cohorts in swine air sanctioned. Just because by doing it was against government wishes.

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    Mute Paddy Murray
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    Jun 6th 2014, 10:59 PM

    Meet in the middle why? Because the union says so? So what if they say they want an extra €20,000 a year per worker? Does the company have to ‘meet them in the middle?” Don’t be bloody ridiculous. If you think these bully boy tactics work, ask yourself where Arthur Scargill – and, indeed, English mining – is now.

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Jun 6th 2014, 11:17 PM

    Colin why not go for a 5:2 roster so? 2 days in a row off and problem solved.

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    Mute Joe McDonnell
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:29 AM

    the staff undertook a pay freeze a few years ago in order to help the company. They’re not looking for more money, they’re not looking for less hours or more days off as Aer Lingus reported. They’re simply looking for the rostering system to be used in an efficient way to enable proper rest periods.
    What people on here dont realise about airline crew flying transatlantic etc is how jet leg and the circadium rhythm upset can impact on someone’s life and consequences on constant fatigue. Remember that airline crew main task is passenger safety. Constant attacks on frontline staff does not work, they are the face of the company and management should show them respect.

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    Mute Giuseppe
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:56 AM

    Man the general public haven’t a clue really about what working on planes hours on end is like. Joe public hasn’t a clue about regulations and airline safety laws. Joe public just thinks cabin crew sell tea and coffee as waitress.
    The minute the general public hear’s airline strikes the first thing they think of is how will this effect me? Which is natural and if it does it’s the employees striking are selfish sack them routine comes on and unions are evil etc..
    It’s the same script every time.

    Oh and there’s always a few Ryanair fanboys promoting O’Leary for no good reason.

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    Mute Eoin Naughton
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    Jun 7th 2014, 5:34 AM

    Well said

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Jun 7th 2014, 8:04 AM

    So can you tell me whst is wrong with a 5:2 roster?

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    Mute Giuseppe
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    Jun 7th 2014, 8:12 AM

    So can you tell me what’s wrong with a 5:3 roster ?

    I’d say the answer is the same as the answer to your question. No. Because unless your at the airline and union meetings then you haven’t a clue about the devil in the details off it…..

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    Mute Seeking Truth
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    Jun 7th 2014, 8:29 AM

    Because then depending on when you get scheduled, you always get the same days off in the week. Which might mean you never get a weekend off. Aer Araan do a 5:3 – 5:2 roster so their schedule naturally rotates and they eventually get weekends off.

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Jun 7th 2014, 8:40 AM

    Whats wrong with 5:3 roster? 30+ extra days off a year on top of the very generous 26 to 31 holidays. AL stated those figures.

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Jun 7th 2014, 8:42 AM

    Thanks Seeking Truth. Thats an interesting point. So a 5:2.5 is the way to go perhaps

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    Mute Joseph Siddall
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    Jun 7th 2014, 8:49 AM

    Giuseppe, sorry, but I’m always suspicious when someone tells me I don’t/won’t understand something but make no attempt to explain it.

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    Mute Giuseppe
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    Jun 7th 2014, 10:38 AM

    Do you work at the airline ? Are you management or cabin crew ?

    If yes then you understand as much as I do.

    If no they you know what you read for the media which is always half truths.

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    Mute Jo45
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    Jun 7th 2014, 10:49 AM

    Giuseppe – if it so bad then (i) why did you join in first place (ii) why don’t you leave?

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    Mute Eoin Naughton
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    Jun 7th 2014, 10:53 AM

    probably because it wasnt that bad when he joined. Most cabin crew dont want to strike! they actually love their jobs and they want to work but they dont want to be strung up and hung which the company is currently doing. The management simply wont listen and wont back down in this.

    Joe public must not lay the blame at the workers feet, its herr mueller and his team that should be facing the backlash! they are the ones forcing the union to issue a strike notice

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    Mute Jo45
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    Jun 7th 2014, 11:07 AM

    Eoin, when did rosters change to current patterns and why were their no strikes back when the changes were proposed?

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    Mute Jo45
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    Jun 7th 2014, 11:08 AM

    Eoin – such overuse in general of the word ‘force’. No one is forcing anyone to strick with the resultant disruption for many thousands who work long and hard to save for a trip.

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    Mute Eoin Naughton
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    Jun 7th 2014, 11:24 AM

    I cant comment on when they changed. the reason there were no strikes as I believe the Union were in talks with management about re-structuring the rosters. Management have shown no consideration to the plans put forward by the unions, not even a trial period.
    Same goes for the reduced crew members on TA flights, crew at the moment dont get a break on the 757 which goes un-noticed by upper management and will probably be ignored infinitely.

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:00 PM

    I don’t work for an airline. So I know what I know from media reports abd commentaries such as here. Your union imo are nowhere near a constructive argument to convince the general public of the merits of union demands.

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    Mute Eoin Naughton
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:13 PM

    What the media reports from Aer Lingus and Michael O’Leary is pure and utter propaganda to put it politely. Because people identify with a brand, they mistakenly believe the horse excrement that is fed to them, and because the workers are forced into striking because they want to implement a roster that will reduce costs and ensure productivity isnt lost along with providing a happy workforce.

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    Mute William Grogan
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:26 PM

    Wow Colin, you’d be some negotiator, “that gombeen o’leary and his cohorts in swine air “.

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    Mute Myles Duffy
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    Jun 6th 2014, 8:54 PM

    The capacity of Aer Lingus leadership to resolve this dispute does not seem to be as rigorous as their determination to pay a pension contribution for the benefit of the chief executive equivalent to 40% of his basic pay. Why is the leadership so weak, unfocused, lacking in determination and evidently ineffective? They seem paralysed by self-induced inertia.

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Jun 6th 2014, 10:42 PM

    Leadership us actually standing up to workers at last. Too many Bertie years for this.

    You hear people on here looking for PS benchmarking of pay to other countries. Time for AL to be benchmarked against Ireland’s biggest airline.

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    Mute Joe McDonnell
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:57 AM

    yeah benchmark the whole country against Ryanair. North Korea would be a happier place to live in due to morale, living standards and lifes happiness being battered to a pulp

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    Mute Dave
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    Jun 6th 2014, 8:57 PM

    Have to agree with you John, surely the cost of strikes far out ways at least giving the roster a trial period, madness, if it works great all are happy if it doesn’t what have the company lost but a few months of some crew on a set roster, what’s the companies problem with running it for 2 or 3 months, crazy.

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    Mute Eoin Naughton
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    Jun 6th 2014, 11:34 PM

    They won’t even listen to the plans is the problem. The alternative roster has been proven to be cost effective yet the airline don’t want to know and don’t want to give in

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    Mute Jon Connick
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    Jun 6th 2014, 8:54 PM

    Impact bring back the football so we can all play and can someone put aerlings’s rattle back in their pram. You’s are messing with the hands that feed you. Keep it up and you’ll all be working for Ryanair this time next year.

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    Mute Loop De Loop
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:10 PM

    Jon – Do you honestly think Ryanair would hire this lot ? This time next year they will have no jobs, Ryanair will take their routes and passengers they won’t be interested in the staff.

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    Mute fergalreid
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:43 PM

    Ryanair will take the airline.

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    Mute Thomas Murtagh
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:06 PM

    Well done cabin crew. Aer lingus taking advice from Michael o Leary again. Stubborn people only get frustrated and if the management try out the other rosters and are right they can say I told you so. O Leary wants aer lingus on strike cause his airline gets more business.

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    Mute Barney Blarney
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:22 PM

    Ryanair own almost 30% of Aer Lingus, so say what you like, Michael O’ Leary is perfectly entitled to have an opinion.

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    Mute Peter Gavin
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:24 PM

    They won’t have any roster to worry about when they’re all unemployed

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    Mute Thomas O'Connor
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    Jun 6th 2014, 10:13 PM

    I have to laugh at all the anti Union posts on this page and will concede that ICTU have destroyed their own credibility by ineptitude.

    The crux of this matter is anti Worker rosters and it’s not right for 9-5 workers to be posting derogatory comments about shift staff who are forced to work appalling rosters with no work/life balance designed by muppets! !!!

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    Mute Kevin Carroll
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    Jun 6th 2014, 10:20 PM

    Actually nice to see article taken from perspective other than prevailing narrative of inconvenience. Workers have every right to protect their interests. What aerlingus fat cats have been doing re pensions for a start is scandalous

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    Mute IrishGravyTrain
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    Jun 6th 2014, 10:22 PM

    Have read that the 5:3 ( 5 working days then 3 off) roster that is been sought would result in an extra 32 paid free days a year for each cabin crew worker. Come on FFS. Are Lingus has a right to tell the unions to f##k right off. Would cost way to much to bring in.

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    Mute Eoin Naughton
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    Jun 6th 2014, 11:37 PM

    Plenty of workers want to work but not when they get no rest. The fact they overwork cabin crew involves lengthy paid leave surely isn’t in the best interests of the company?

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    Mute Jonathan Morgan
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:31 PM

    Days off are not relevant. EI crew operate to a max of 900 Flight hours per year. The 5:3 roster will still deliver this productivity. As it is the figure of “32 extra paid days” is misleading. The staff are salaried so its no extra cost. And the difference is more like 20 days from a Mon-fri worker. The union offered to reduce holiday days to compensate.

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    Mute johngahan
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    Jun 6th 2014, 10:42 PM

    When Aer Lingus need to cut staff due to plummeting customer numbers we’ll have the Unions and the Looney Lefties demanding the Government create new jobs for them and bemoaning the hardship due to layoffs and a failing airline.

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    Mute Joe McDonnell
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:46 AM

    ah the looney lefties. Capitalism collapsed worldwide in 2008/09. Greedy righties far outnumber looney lefties

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    Mute Paul Forrestal
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    Jun 6th 2014, 10:14 PM

    I don’t believe this crap, I’m goin to France by car in two weeks with my son, wife and daughter following us a week later……on Aer Lingus! First holier in 3yrs and this has the potential to really mess this up! Sort it out guys!

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    Mute Fiannaoicht
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    Jun 6th 2014, 10:46 PM

    Simple solution – do a job swap between Bausch & Lomb and Aer Lingus. I wonder how long it would take for the pampered spoilt aer lingus tea servers to realise how lucky they are then.

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    Mute Michelle McGovern
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    Jun 6th 2014, 11:33 PM

    As an ex Cabin Crew member, with a different airline many years ago, after 5 days flying, 3 days off at least would be the normal. It is not a 9 to 5, Monday to Friday job. 3 days is definitely not excessive.

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    Mute That's all folk's
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:03 AM

    You know that when you get into it. Make different career choices then.

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:04 AM

    Its a 24 hour now Michelle. 9 to 5 is irrelevant.

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    Mute Niamh O'Brien
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:50 AM

    Yes, they knew that when they got into it. I am a nurse and I work crazy long shifts, nights, Christmas, but I don’t complain because I knew what I was getting myself in for when I started training. I’m due to fly on the day of the proposed strike and am devastated.

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    Mute Joe McDonnell
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    Jun 7th 2014, 1:00 AM

    Nurses and frontline medical staff don’t complain about being under staffed, over worked and not thinking clearly on patients needs due to fatigue? Yeah right pull the other one

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    Mute Niamh O'Brien
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    Jun 7th 2014, 1:29 AM

    Take not of the use of “I” not “We”

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    Mute Mary Carmel
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    Jun 7th 2014, 3:51 AM

    True, we knew what we were getting into. After 30 years I’m still in the profession although I hate weekend and holiday shifts. My choice to leave or not. I choose not to.

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    Mute joe soap
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    Jun 7th 2014, 9:49 AM

    you cant compare nurses wages and conditions to that of cabin crew. I would imagine most cabin crew would kill for a nurses job.
    strange thing is when nurses strike they put patients lives at risk and yet the public view is that they are great, give them less hours and more money
    when cabin crew strike they mildy inconvience some people and the public view is line them up against a wall and shoot them.

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    Mute JR
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:25 PM

    The unions need to remember who is holding the cards. US based trans-Atlantic crews will be the next move. Wet leasing of aircraft on the strike dates will limit disruption. With 47 aircraft, the % of passengers affected is low anyway….

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    Mute Thomas Ryan
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    Jun 6th 2014, 10:32 PM

    feck it im due to fly to corfu on the 18th, this is gonna ruin my well earned hard worked for holiday, the cabin crew seem to want the best of both worlds but that aint gonna happen

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    Mute Anne Whitehead
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    Jun 6th 2014, 11:02 PM

    The current management are not responsible for the pension deficit. Aer Lingus have always used random rosters, their negative impact on the crews’ work-life balance being offset by the perks of working for the national carrier. The fight over rosters is not about rosters, it’s about the crews waking up and realising that, into today’s current economic climate, those perks are unsustainable in the long run and them wanting something else out of the company, ie a more palatable roster pattern. But they want their cake and to eat it too. The suggestion that the crews be spilt into short/long haul groups has the union up in arms. Why? Because the luxury of staying in a downtown hotel with a generous daily allowance would mean that the crews not on this roster pattern would need to be ‘compensated’, you know to make it fair. Unfortunately, with the airline industry being as it is, fairness doesn’t really come into it, sound economic policy is the way for this airline to survive. Also the company are right not to be drawn into public confrontation with the Union…give them boys, who were in the right place at the right time, enough rope and see what happens.

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    Mute rastavusi
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    Jun 6th 2014, 10:02 PM

    Well replace them all there many people who are at job bridge , and there will welcome those Jobs .
    There should be grateful that there have job

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    Mute Gary Byrnes
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    Jun 6th 2014, 10:33 PM

    Out with the old staff in with the new. I won’t fly with them till they do

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    Mute Retired Fireman
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    Jun 7th 2014, 12:04 AM

    These are the same staff that accepted these rosters in 2011, what has changed so drastically since then , there days of perks and cheap travel are ending rapidly , they want the same rosters as pilots which i doubt they will get , i think they are doing terrible damage to the tourist industry and have very little support from the traveling public.

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    Mute Thomas Ryan
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    Jun 7th 2014, 1:01 AM

    i fully agree, i think the public are getting sick of aer lingus strikes, i wonder would impact go ahead with the strike if the passengers they are effecting started sending in bills for the cost of having to change travel plans,

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    Mute Mary Carmel
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    Jun 7th 2014, 3:42 AM

    Don’t care who is at fault. I am a customer and I can no longer have confidence in flying Aer Lingus. Time is limited. When I need to fly home from NY for a family event I want to be able to focus on seeing my family not if the air line staff is going to strike. I have always been loyal to our national airline but not anymore. Furthermore, In times past I got on the plane at JFK and felt I was home, not anymore. The crew are not friendly, don’t represent our country well, and my loyalty is gone. They sell drinks, pass food, and have superior attitudes. Too bad. To those who used to crew the Atlantic flights I say a big thank you for the enjoyable experience, helpfulness and professionalism. Company and union, get your act together. I’m not the only one who will fly another airline.

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    Mute Cathal Reilly
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    Jun 7th 2014, 5:55 AM

    Ireland coming out of recession and Aer Lingus cabin crew going on strike over rostering is simply outrageous. They are lucky to have good permanent pensionable jobs with good perks but that is still not enough !! If they had no job at all they would have plenty of time to rest. Trade Unions have a lot to answer for !!!

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    Mute That's all folk's
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    Jun 6th 2014, 11:53 PM

    Ya shower of b#####ds you have just ruined my holiday. Thanks for nothing. Was to use aer fungus to connect in gatwick. I will now probably have to use my savings to pay for a connecting flight. Fuming. Never again.

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    Mute Chris McCann
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    Jun 7th 2014, 1:30 AM

    As far as I know your LGW flight uses Gatwick based crew who operated to full capacity during the last strike. All in all there’s a pretty good chance your post was a bit of a waste of a rant!

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Jun 7th 2014, 8:19 AM

    Gatwick flights were cancelled Chris.

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    Mute sean nihill
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    Jun 6th 2014, 10:27 PM

    God bless the almighty balance sheet. Try not to step on anyone on the way to gate lads. And while ye are away, think about staying. Cause ye’re jobs might b next

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    Mute Keenan Stack
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:27 PM

    Our flag carrier and all…

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    Mute JR
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    Jun 6th 2014, 9:54 PM

    And people wonder why we kept the Government Learjet…

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    Mute Joe Dobias
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    Jun 7th 2014, 7:19 AM

    Erratic,, unpredictable,, and subject to changes at very short notice.. Sounds like my roster for the past 8 years (retail)

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    Mute Donal O Neil
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    Jun 6th 2014, 11:23 PM

    Anyone know the dates of the 2 x1 days strikes? Do we just book around the strike dates now and adjust our schedules . I wish Ryanair ran the Amsterdam to cork then at least we can travel . C’mon just sort this out or get out and let Ryanair do the job

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    Mute Jo45
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    Jun 7th 2014, 11:04 AM

    Donal, try reading the article not just the headline

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    Mute Jo45
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    Jun 7th 2014, 10:46 AM

    Why won’t the unions provide figures to support the claim that 5:3 works? If it does not impact productivity or the bottom line mgmt would not risk reputational damage & financial loss of strike. My guess is union does not have the required skills to put such a business proposal together.

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    Mute Christian Moretti
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    Jun 7th 2014, 11:15 AM

    Ridiculous! I m not booking with them ! I may understand they are unhappy but they cant just block a country like that! They should assure a minimal service at least! This is ridiculous for a country that only relies on aerlingus and ryanair for european flights( its already a joke that other airlines like iberia, ba, alitalia, easyjet dont operate in ireland and they r all codesharr with aerlingus and thus operated by them)

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    Mute joe soap
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    Jun 7th 2014, 9:51 AM

    cant understand why people don’t just fly with Ryanair all the time, they are the best.

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    Mute Seeking Truth
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    Jun 7th 2014, 8:34 AM

    All I can say is that I hope things work out, supposed to be flying out the 18th — after Aer Lingus offered dates every day of the week, we booked our flight, and then they changed our flights from Thursday to Wednesday as they dropped flying days to this particular location. So we will see what happens. My customer loyalty is certainly not strengthened by all of this….

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    Mute Irish Cottage Rental
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    Jun 7th 2014, 3:20 PM

    The long slow demise of EI. Dublin should be a westbound hub given geographical location. North American bound UK regional traffic into Dublin just starting to prove the point and then this uncertainty. There will be no EI in a few years at this rate.

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