Who do you think obtained all the legislation to protect workers, that you enjoy now? Unions forced employers and politicians to concede workers rights, such as holidays, age limits preventing child labour, fair pay rates etc.

Yes they did Doc, and like other organisation e.g. The IRA, They’ve served their purpose and should be disbanded. How can you strike against a lack of money???

There’s enough legislation? Then why is this an issue? Does the legislation protect their pensions?

Hair stylist. End of story.

Well isn’t that just the point. Make the public suffer to further advance their own agenda. This is very unfair. I wholly sympathize with the workers plight, but there must be a better way. I can’t imagine what will happen if the Ryanair bid succeeds.

No strike in the short term according to union. They are seeking talks within a month, so you’ll be fine.

Now in all fairness I want to be supportive, so I’m happy for them to delay my return flight by few days ;)

Danny that’s why you don’t get the importance and value of unions, you can only think of yourself.

Unlike the workers, who only ever think of the general public.

Doc Benway, I don’t think Danny mentioned unions in his comment. He said “….if THEY mess it up for me….”.

Well said. The ingratitude is astounding.

Again… it was fought for, it was won, its inshrined in law, i’m truly grateful… they’re no longer needed, now they’re just concerned with collapsing businesses in the name of strike action, to prove thy’re still useful.

Tickets are not “free”. And they are not even confirmed tickets. You only get on if there’s a free seat left.

Don’t care Dave it’s a stupid policy a good friend of mine is an air hostess and she is always flying her husband to the states with baggage and every thing and even she says it’s wrong but she will milk it while she can. Typical Aer Lingus attitude ….

Spoiled bunch of layabouts! Why do they think their entitled to keep their full pension entitlements, when a huge percentage of other Irish workers have had to take huge hits in theirs? Aer Lingus are a joke of an airline that’s still losing money!

Sounds like sour grapes, jealous she won’t fly anywhere with you John Do you wish ill on all your good friends?

Thats just plain jealousy. If there’s no bloody seat, you dont travel, that simple. It also means the airline gets some revenue for a seat that would otherwise go empty.

And no Rodrigo, they dont lose money. Annual profits of about 100 million. Only lose money in the first quarter, like every airline. And just because you rolled over and lost your pension, why should they do the same?

Friends? Who are flying “friends” for free? Do you mean workers who are friendly with their spouses?

They have the right to withdraw their labour. Do you disagree?

Tony fear not …at the slightest hint of a strike the Government are in the mood to give away their remaining share in this overprotected and cosseted excuse for a business. For years and years this bunch have held the country up for ransom due to all their friends in Fianna Fail but those days are over and they know it.

Yea because your holiday is more important than workers livelihood These workers are trying to ensure in their old age they will have the very basic wage they contributed to in their pension. They were promised a level of pension that employers are now trying to take back. This is not about just these workers but all workers if employers continue to erode workers rights unchecked we will all as a society suffer. We will only survive all of this austerity we we show solidarity to those whose rights are being tramped on

Who do you think fought hard so you could have your weekends off?

Your welcome.

Ha Ha, This is actually quite funny reading the comments on here today, Where are all the Aer Lingus Fanboys who were championing Aer Lingus as one of the world’s great airlines on all the anti-Ryanair articles the journal have had on recently!
I honestly do feel sorry for peoples travel plans been disrupted, personally in my opinion if the staff proceed with this strike they should be sacked, there’s many more that will take their places! There you go folks, should have booked Ryanair after all!

yes that’s right no unions, no pension, no holiday pay,no health and safety, no workers kept long term just used and disposed of. Be careful what you wish for. I don’t think you will enjoy working under the conditions endured by workers before we had unions, all the things you take for granted had to be fought for. Demanded by an organised workforce. Do any of you think employers offered such things in the past, or will in the future, if people don’t stick together, they will be worse off.

No jobs either, Alan, Ryanair outsource about 50% of all roles and much of that is now in countries where labour laws are more, ahem, “flexible.”

You seem so bitter and confused. Must be overworked.

Eh no Alan, we won’t put up or shut up. We will continue to fight for improvements for all of society, such as equal rights, or any of the rights you take for granted today. You alone are not the public. Now go back to the 18th century and see how your ego serves you there.

Alan they are entitled to strike, but nobody is obliged to buy their flights. If they strike too frequently, there will be no customers and therefore no airline to employ them. Even the unions understand this. All too often a threatened strike is a bargaining tool.

Chances are you work in a business where your boss knows you, understands your situation, you both negotiate and there is give and take. People in bigger organisations can’t do that. Also, aer Lingus have a history of bad middle managers who went out of their way to antagonise staff. There was a head of the red caps who used to change people’s shifts if he heard that they were happy with them.

Yup. Solidarity with the workers.

It’s 50/50. unions also hold business back. I know of a few useless people who should get fired but don’t cause of unions!

Unfortunately for the staff Aer Lingus is no longer owned by the State . Fortunately for us as citizens Aer Lingus is no longer owned by the State. To the staff of this inglorious and self centred organisation I would ask them to smell the coffee because a little too much push and they’re gone or a little push and Ryanair will own them.
I’m tired of their pathetic annual rant that frightens holidaymakers and damages our International business interests. It’s time for them to realise the pension funds shortfall is going to remain because nobody has the money or interest in making it up and that included us as taxpayers.

Petr do you really believe that workers need to unite against the bosses or are you just being inflammatory. In the case of Aer Lingus the world has passed them by and no longer is the State permitted to give them handouts. Any hint of blackmail by the staff and Management will shut the doors. When that happens the liquidator will dispose of the fixed assets and thanks for the memories. No more cheap or free flights for staff and families. So your advice Petr is about as much use as dog shite in a briar. But please feel blissfully ignorant enough to keep up the pep talk.

I really mean it. Your namesake was very anti-worker too.