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Updated at 10.50am
A GAP IS opening up between two of the main unions at Aer Lingus – after management at the airline wrote to the government last night with new promises on jobs and outsourcing.
The Dáil is preparing to vote on the sale of the government’s stake in the airline later after angry scenes yesterday that saw opposition politicians rail against the move.
Unions had raised concerns over redundancies and potential outsourcing at the carrier, in the wake of the Minister for Transport’s announcement, late on Tuesday, that the Cabinet had decided to accept IAG’s proposal to buy the State’s 25.1 per cent stake.
SIPTU said in a statement this morning that management at the airline had agreed to establish “a legally enshrined Registered Employment Agreement (REA) at the company” which would commit it not to pursue an agenda of outsourcing and compulsory redundancies.
The commitment was made in writing last night to Labour junior minister, Ged Nash, it emerged.
Welcoming the development this morning – SIPTU said it was ”important”.
Jack O’Connor, the SIPTU general president, speaking to RTÉ radio, also welcomed the move.
If the Dáil vote went through, and “it turns out that this letter doesn’t do what it says on the tin” the union would go back to Labour TDs before the deal was finally agreed to say “you’ve been misled”.
However, IMPACT has warned the letter is simply a “fig leaf” designed to “mollify” TDs who might be considering voting against the motion.
Spokesman Niall Shanahan said his union had written to all members of the Dáil today asking them to vote against the motion approving the sale.
Also speaking this morning, Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe said the government would be bringing the new legislation on Registered Employment Agreements before the Dáil.
“I believe if the Dáil vote was to take place at a reasonable time today that Minister Ged Nash, my colleague, could even be bringing that legislation [before the Dáíl] today,” Donohoe said.
“It will be enacted before the summer,” he added.
Asked whether the sale of Aer Lingus would go through before the agreements are ‘set in stone’ he didn’t answer directly, but reiterated “a legislative and legal framework” was being set up to move proceedings forward.
Aer Lingus CEO Stephen Kavanagh, speaking to Morning Ireland, confirmed he had written to the government yesterday to allay any fears about the deal.
Compulsory redundancies and outsourcing of jobs wouldn’t happen where savings can be made within the airline, he said.
“Outsourcing is not on the agenda” if efficiency is maintained, Kavanagh said – adding that efficiency was likely to improve if IAG takes over.
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Well this sounds like the Debenhams situation all over again told by email your job is gone with little else. Still dealing with the fall out from that 4 years later in the courts. I hope the staff are treated better than we the former Debenhams staff have been.
It’s too expensive to do business in this country anymore. This is only the beginning.
@Max Cooper: while I totally agree with you, unfortunately this has nothing to do with it, the UK went into administration last week, closed 7 stores with no notice yesterday with a further 100 to go, mass redundancies in head office with no notice either yesterday. It’s deeply fishy
@Gregory C Donoghue:
Your next account should be called “Walter Mitty”
lol
@Max Cooper: Or….maybe people have had enough of bolloxology nature sourced facial oatmeal crapology?
@Max Cooper: And we did it to ourselves.It will be some miracle if we get that EU Anti Money Laundering HQ today, but I suspect we won’t, based on our rapacious rates and charges, lack of accommodation compounded by widespread , unchecked anti social behaviour.
SF seem to be oblivious to the enormity of the task they face as a party that has never held power and the usual FFG suspects can only worsen the situation.
It’s a pity we can’t base an economy on Rugby and Rowing. We seem to be useless at everything else
The government are setting up a committee to look into it.
@noel donohue: something Smells here
@noel donohue: They’re not nor is there a need.
Debenhams, Argos, the Body Shop. Who’s next.
@Alex Marquis: Probably Halfords.
@Alex Marquis: Next
@Gerard Carey: Halfords are ok they have a lot of MOT centres in the UK plus service centres, tyre shops, parts stores and bicycles and all the extra stuff that goes with them.
@David McGrath: thats good
@Alex Marquis: Iceland also
Go Woke, Go Broke.
When the majority of your customers are women it probably helps if you can define what one is.
@Ollie McGlinchey: grow up.
Get your bargain price closing down sale new body now.
About 10 years, the Body Shop had a fabulous ginger body lotion/handcream for the Christmas period. It was the best one I ever used and the scent was beautiful. They never continued it . That was the problem. They didn’t move with the times re new scents, and the plastics didn’t disappear and compete with Lush on the environment issues.
What’s going on? First Argos, then M&S announce store closures and now The Body Shop.
Ah, the smell in front of their stores…
Bring back Anita Roddick – oh wait …
Can they not build the bloody thing to Stephen’s Green and talk about Charlemont as it is being progressed
have your say