Irish airline workers at Manchester Airport are planning a strike over a pay discrepancy between them and their counterparts in Ireland.
Some 130 workers, members of the Unite union, plan a strike from November 9 to 11, November 14 and November 16 to 18. These strike dates are in addition to the strikes from October 30 to November 2.
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It comes as cabin crew working at Manchester Airport rejected a pay rise of nine per cent this year and three per cent next year. While the union acknowledges this is a high figure on paper, it says the difference in starting salaries between the two countries can exceed £8,000.
The cost of living in Manchester is not substantially lower than in Dublin, with both major cities facing high housing and living costs.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is outrageous that cabin crew working for such a profitable airline are struggling on such low wages and cannot afford the basics.
“Any strike action will be hugely detrimental to these routes, but the further action is entirely the fault of Aer Lingus, which has consistently put profits before people throughout this dispute. Unite will support our airline members every step of the way.”
