A further 440 jobs elsewhere in the airline will be shed through voluntary redundancy, making 670 losses in total, fewer than the 1,065 Aer Lingus had been considering.
The compulsory redundancies were announced after cabin crew rejected the airline’s cost-cutting plan, which has been accepted by unions representing staff from other Aer Lingus departments.
The airline has just reported a loss of €66.2m for 2009.
In a statement, it said: ‘Aer Lingus gratefully acknowledges the support of four of the five union groups that balloted on the 'greenfield' cost reduction programme.
‘Given the overwhelming support of four union groups, implementation of the 1,065 compulsory redundancies contemplated in the so called 'Plan B' is unfair.
‘Therefore Aer Lingus intends to promptly proceed with the implementation of those elements of the cost reduction programme that were agreed with those four union groups that supported the proposals.
‘In the case of cabin crew, a new solution will incorporate redundancies, reduced salaries, new working conditions and the de-layering of the cabin crew organisation.’
A 30-day compulsory consultation period began today.
See also:
Aer Lingus sees fares fall 16.8% (09/03/2010)
Cabin crew give thumbs down to Aer Lingus cuts (08/03/2010)
‘Civilised’ Aer Lingus takes middle path (27/01/2010)
Cuts help Aer Lingus to operating profit (08/01/2010)
Talks break down at Aer Lingus (02/12/2009)
Aer Lingus takes hard line on job cuts (20/11/2009)
Aer Lingus continues to focus on costs (09/11/2009)
Aer Lingus starts talks over 700+ job cuts (07/10/2009)