Aer Lingus Faces Allegations of Union-Busting Amid UK Cabin Crew Strike Plans

Aer Lingus, the Irish airline, is facing allegations of utilizing “union busting tactics” as cabin crew members stationed at Manchester Airport (MAN) prepare for a four-day strike.

On October 17, 2025, the Unite union announced that 130 Aer Lingus cabin crew members had voted in favor of industrial action in response to salary disputes.

A significant 90% of the participating Unite members turned down a proposed 12% pay increase over two years, opting instead to strike from October 30 to November 2, 2025.

This strike is expected to impact flights operating from Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport bound for popular transatlantic destinations such as Orlando, New York, and Barbados.

According to Unite, the airline is responding to the strike by employing non-Uniite affiliated cabin crew to operate flights between Manchester and Dublin, where passengers can connect to international flights.

An Aer Lingus passenger affected by the disruptions shared that they received a notification on October 16, 2025. They were initially scheduled to fly directly from New York to Manchester on October 31, 2025, but will now need to travel via Dublin to reach Manchester.

Unite acknowledges that while the 12% pay rise offer may appear generous, the base salaries are insufficient, making it challenging for workers to meet essential living costs, including housing and utilities.

Sharon Graham, General Secretary of Unite, stated: “It’s completely unacceptable that dedicated staff at a profitable airline struggle to afford basics while senior executives rake in millions. Unite stands firm on this issue. We recognize this strike will disrupt travel, but the responsibility lies with Aer Lingus, which prioritizes profits over its employees.”

The union also highlighted discrepancies in flight allowances, noting that Manchester-based crews receive significantly less than their Dublin counterparts. Although Aer Lingus has increased the overnight allowance from $115 to $130 for Manchester workers, Unite believes this adjustment does not adequately address the pay gap.

Unite additionally pointed out that top executives at Aer Lingus, including the CEO and CFO, reportedly earned a substantial portion of nearly €2.8 million in director remuneration last year.

Aer Lingus’ Position

In response, Aer Lingus expressed disappointment regarding the industrial action ballot outcome, stating they had negotiated in “good faith” with Unite.

A spokesperson for the airline mentioned that Aer Lingus and Unite had settled on two comprehensive and competitive pay packages, which Unite had recommended to its members after a thorough conciliation process at ACAS.

The airline plans to focus on directly communicating with affected customers to help minimize disruptions and accommodate them as best as possible.