Unions representing staff in Aer Lingus and the Dublin Airport Authority have voted in favour of industrial action over a pensions dispute arising from a shortfall in the Irish Aviation Superannuation Scheme (IAAS).
Six unions - Siptu, Impact, Mandate, TEEU, Unite, UCATT - voted to engage in industrial action in the event that either or both companies allow changes to be made to the IAAS, without the agreement of the staff concerned.
Irish Congress of Trade Unions' Industrial Officer Liam Berney said the ballot had arisen as a result of deficit in the scheme of between €600 million and €700 million, which the unions say must be addressed.
Mr Berney said the result of the ballot “should send a clear message to both companies that staff are determined to secure their pension entitlements and are prepared to act to ensure this is the case”.
“This ballot was taken to send a signal to the employers that they are required to come forward with meaningful proposals,” he said, adding that he would hope that this would take place within the next three to four weeks.
“It is now up to both companies to come forward with proposals that meet the expectations of members of the IASS.
The unions are available for meaningful negotiations. However the time has come for the companies to put forward realistic proposals that are capable of being given serious consideration,” he said.
However, Mr Berney said the unions did not anticipate industrial action in the short term, adding that the unions had not yet me to discuss what form any potential industrial action would take.
A spokeswoman for Aer Lingus said this evening that the airline "remains committed to working with all the relevant parties to find an appropriate solution to the IASS funding shortfall.
"We do not anticipate disruption to services at this time," she added.