Aer Lingus Siptu staff vote for industrial action

Siptu workers at Aer Lingus have backed protective industrial action if necessary over the airline's radical restructuring plan…

Siptu workers at Aer Lingus have backed protective industrial action if necessary over the airline's radical restructuring plan.

The 2,400 members voted by over 90 per cent in favour of the action.

The members are clearly saying that there can be no new plan for the future of the company without their involvement and agreement.
Siptu National Industrial Secretary Mr Michael Halpenny

Siptu National Industrial Secretary Mr Michael Halpenny said "no convincing case has been made by management for the 1,325 job cuts they propose.

"It could hardly be otherwise when even the company recognises that this is not a survival situation and where Aer Lingus is expected to make around €100 million profit this year, thanks to the sacrifices of the workforce," he added.

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"The members are clearly saying that there can be no new plan for the future of the company without their involvement and agreement."

Airline unions are seeking one of the highest pay-off deals in the State - nine weeks of pay for every year served at the company, for the 1,325 affected workers at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports.

Earlier the union has described the vote as a "protective ballot", which will only be implemented if the airline tries to force through restructuring.

Aer Lingus management has proposed a three-year plan to transform the state airline to a low-fares carrier. As part of the restructuring, almost a quarter of the workforce would leave the airline.

Green Party leader, Mr Trevor Sargent said he was not surprised by the vote "given the failure by the management to consult in any real way with the unions."

"Both Seamus Brennan and Willie Walsh, Aer Lingus' Chief Executive, to date have demonstrated how not to get agreement in the company by using megaphone diplomacy via the media instead of face to face discussion with Aer Lingus' employees," Mr Sargent said.

Luke Cassidy

Luke Cassidy

Luke Cassidy is Digital Production Editor of The Irish Times