Workers at the Irish airline at Manchester Airport are planning industrial action, due to a pay discrepancy between them and their counterparts in Ireland.

Around 130 workers, members of the Unite union, plan a walkout from 9 to 11 November, 14 November and 16 to 18 November. These strike dates are additional to the walk outs from 30 October to 2 November.

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It comes as cabin crew working from Manchester Airport have rejected a pay rise of nine per cent this year and three per cent next year. While the union recognises this is a high number on paper, it says that the difference in starting salaries between the two countries can be over £8000.

The cost of living in Manchester is not substantially lower than in Dublin, with both being 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 disruptive to these routes, but the additional action is entirely the fault of Aer Lingus who have consistently put profits over people during this dispute. Unite will back our members at the airline every step of the way.”