AER LINGUS CABIN CREW has threatened to go on an all-out strike if the airline’s management team attempts to discipline any employee for going on work-to-rule.

Cabin crew begin industrial action this morning in complaint over the introduction of new rosters, though the airline claims to have contingency plans in place and does not foresee any disruption in services to passengers.

The airline says the new rosters are required under its €90m ‘Greenfield’ cost-cutting programme, but trade union IMPACT – which represents the workers affected – claims the changes to the working schedules are beyond Greenfield’s scope, and an arbitration by the Labour Relations Commission.

As a result, its members will work by their previous rosters as of today – and has threatened the “responsive action” of an all-out industrial strike if the airline tries to take any disciplinary action against the workers affected.

Crew will insist on taking their entire rest periods – which includes refusing to work on a designated ‘rest day’, and taking the entirety of their meal breaks.

They have also refused to work on the airline’s daily route between Washington Dulles airport and Madrid, which is currently only staffed by crew based in the Republic of Ireland who work under Irish working conditions.

The airline, however, has insisted it may discipline any employee who does not fulfil the entire terms of their employment, which it says includes complying with the published ‘black book’ timetables.

“Aer Lingus will not accept staff refusing to carry out some or all of their contractual duties,” it said in a letter to cabin crew issued last Friday. “Such a refusal could result in immediate removal from the payroll and may culminate in dismissal.”