Union wants promises over Aer Lingus sale

IMPACT yesterday warned Aer Lingus management it will oppose the privatisation of the company unless workers receive specific guarantees on five key demands.

Unlike SIPTU, which is resolutely opposed to any form of privatisation, IMPACT is not opposed to the principle of a sale.

However, the union, which represents 1,800 cabin crew, pilots and middle management at the company, is concerned about investment, pensions, pay, profit-sharing and job security at the airline.

Following a meeting with Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion yesterday, IMPACT officials said they had demanded action on those issues in return for the union’s support.

Speaking after yesterday’s meeting, IMPACT deputy general secretary Shay Cody said the union’s “five tests” were aimed at protecting staff and passengers as well as ensuring the long-term future of the company.

“Any floatation would be worse than pointless if the funds raised do not translate into more and better planes. Anything else would sound the death knell for Aer Lingus, resulting in job losses and reduced competition for Irish passengers,” he said.

Mr Cody said the union was also seeking a Government commitment that its retained share of the airline would be used to support working conditions into the future.

“The response of management and Government to these five tests will say a lot about how they intend to treat staff after any floatation. Our recent experience of staff relations has not been good and we’ll only have one chance to get this right before any proposed floatation,” he said.

Meanwhile, with an expected Government decision to sell 75% of the airline just around the corner, SIPTU is threatening to ballot members and is holding a series of nationwide meetings to consider the issue.

This evening will see SIPTU members at Dublin Airport convene in a mass meeting while a further meeting is planned for Shannon on Monday.