LRC plan could avert Aer Lingus Shannon base closure

The Labour Relations Commission has put forward new proposals aimed at resolving the row over plans by Aer Lingus to close its cabin crew base at Shannon airport.

The airline said it was to close the Shannon facility after it failed to reach agreement with the trade union Impact on cabin crew staffing levels on new trans-Atlantic routes to commence from January using smaller aircraft.

Under the new proposals which emerged after talks overnight, for an initial period from January to March many of these services will be operated using five cabin crew.

This will subsequently be reduced to four cabin crew.

The proposals would also involve the payment of financial incentives for staff working on routes with four cabin crew.

An overall review will take place in July under the proposals.

Aer Lingus cabin crew representatives will meet today to consider the proposals.