Trade unions representing Aer Lingus employees will oppose any compulsory redundancies contained in a new business plan due to be presented to the airline's board of directors today. Jamie Smyth and Mark Brennock report.
IMPACT and SIPTU, the two biggest unions representing staff at the airline, yesterday criticised the scale of the 1,300 job cuts proposed in the plan, which has been prepared by senior management.
The business plan involves reducing the airline's total workforce by a quarter to about 2,700 people and outsourcing certain functions to outside contractors.
Aer Lingus also plans to continue its transition towards a low-cost airline model like Ryanair, and open new routes in Europe.
The full plan will be presented to the airline's board today but certain details have been leaked.
In response to reports in weekend newspapers, union officials described the business plan yesterday as "radical" and "unnecessary", and linked it to a recent attempt by Aer Lingus executives to take the firm private in a management buyout.
Mr Michael Landers, assistant general secretary at IMPACT, said there was clearly a link between the two events. Management obviously thought it could increase profit by making more people redundant, he added. "We would find any attempt to impose compulsory redundancies through this plan totally unacceptable," said Mr Landers, who added the union would discuss the issue of voluntary redundancies and new work practices.
Mr Jack O'Connor, SIPTU general president, said the union questioned the purpose and objective of the radical cost-cutting plans. "We have no interest in facilitating the enhancement of the wealth of a few individuals," he said.
An Aer Lingus spokeswoman would not comment on the business plan.