This article is from page 4 of the 2008-02-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
AER LINGUS flights could be erounded if union members go ahead with threats of industrial action at the end of the month.
The largest union at the airline, SIPTU, has said it will not rule out a fresh ballot for industrial action if management forces through cost cut- ting measures on February 24.
The craft group of unions at Aer Lingus announced it was withdraw- ing from what it described as the “charade” of talks with management, before SIPTU made its warning.
In early January, the airline and
SIPTU had reached agreement in principal on how savings of €10 mil- lion could be achieved. The airline says the cuts are vital to its future. But no progress has been made since WeoOe
At the weekend the airline’s deputy chief executive, Niall Walsh, wrote to the union to tell them that cost cuts must be implemented by February 24 at the latest, with all negotiations concluded by February 22.
He said that the “urgency to agree, implement and realise the savings is more and more pressing” amid “weakening economic conditions and continued high fuel costs”.
A SIPTU spokeswoman, Teresa Hancock, said that her union wants the airline to adopt alternatives to reducing take-home pay and annual Eee sl ala espa orn nce
“SIPTU will not accept the com- pany unilaterally implementing any change to current terms and condi- tions. Should this occur, it will be viewed as a provocative act.”
Meanwhile, the craft group of un- ions has withdrawn from talks with management, claiming that Aer Lin- gus has withheld a pay settlement which was agreed as part of the na- tional wage agreement since Octo- ber.
“This whole episode of talks has been a charade” said Brian Gormley of the Unite trade union and chair- man of the craft workers’ group.
A spokesman for the company de- nied that any action by the 180 craft workers would result in grounding of NbKele NA
But while such action would cause some disruption, the bigger threat would be from the 1,800 members of SIPTU who could bring flights to a halt if they downed tools.
Aer Lingus has told the craft unions eroup that it will implement cost sav- ing initiatives in their areas from February 25 unless talks resume.