It all comes out in the end!!!

REWIND: Willie Walsh's Aer Lingus planned to force workers into quitting

A leaked report indicated that the (now) IAG head planned to make work unbearable for some Aer Lingus employees

Photocall file photo

Joseph Conroy

16:30 Monday 26 January 2015

 

 

 

During Willie Walsh's time in charge of Aer Lingus, a report was leaked that outlined a 12-point plan that was intended to make workers' jobs unbearable - and to nudge them towards taking voluntary redundancy packages.

The plans included the introduction of tacky uniforms for cabin crew, tedious training programmes for pilots, and the changing of shift patterns to intentionally annoy workers.

Sources told the Irish Independent that cabin crews' traditional uniforms would be replaced by ugly jumpsuits and t-shirts.  

When operating as Aer Lingus chief executive, Willie Walsh oversaw the transformation of the company, bringing in a low-cost model to compete with rivals like Ryanair. 

The document was called the 'Business Plan - HR (Human Resources) strategy 2004' - and ran to 40 pages. It featured a total of 12 "environmental push factors" to be introduced to encourage workers to leave their jobs.

Aer Lingus confirmed that the document was genuine, but a spokesperson said that it was a "discussion" paper - and that none of the outlined practices were ever used by management in the company.

The journalists who saw the guidelines reported that it seemed to be a final report - not a draft or discussion paper.

The number one 'push factor' to encourage workers to take up voluntary redundancy were 200 "taps on the shoulders" for supervisor-grade employees - they were to be taken aside and told that they had no future with the airline.

Other measures would see transport services between the terminal and airport car-parks being cut, and the end of flexible work schedules for cabin crew.

This report came to light in January 2005, the same month that Mr Walsh left the airline.