This article is from page 2 of the 2008-11-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
MEETINGS are taking place this week between SIPTU officials and union members in Aer Lingus after a proposed agreement was hammered out between the sides at the Labour Relations Commission.
An alternative proposal to outsourc- ing has been developed between SIP- TU and Aer Lingus management in talks held under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission. SIP- TU will be consulting with members in advance of any ballot on the new proposals.
The aim is to complete the process before December 4.
There will be no industrial action
or strike action commenced during the process, but if SIPTU members reject the proposal the union man- date remains live and can be acti- vated if the company proceeds with eo) EL Rolen ner baton
Both sides are remaining cautious about revealing any details of the alternative to the management out- sourcing proposal outside union and company circles, but it’s understood that the LRC recommendations af- ter extensive talks will depend on expectations that many staff will choose to accept voluntary severance packages.
The agreement also presumes that a number will leave the company and return under new pay and cond1-
tions.
Staff who stay on current terms of employment will keep their current pay scales, entitlements, overtime rates, annual holidays and shift al- eee
Based on a review of the operation in Shannon, payroll savings will in- clude an overall 35 per cent reduction in staff with staff being employed on new terms and conditions.
A Shannon Handling Unit will be set up to allocate duties in the cargo and ground handling operation and staff will be required to work flex- ibly.
A pay pause will also be in place until July 2010.
The alternative plan will have to be
given approval by the members be- fore the full threat of a strike action, Jobe] OMOrO LEN (CM ODLMNU elem vel UR inett-MOE-RVoll period, can be ruled out.
Meanwhile, there have been sug- gestions that the company may be looking at returning the Heathrow service to Shannon.
Company chairman, Colm Bar- rington, said in a letter to Clare County Council that if the airline can get its cost base right at Shannon and generate sufficient passenger num- bers “we will be prepared to consider PNOMVanepes toa
Recent figures from Belfast show that passenger numbers on the route are falling behind what they had at Shannon by 27 per cent.