Lufthansa staff on protective notice

UNIONS have sought an intervention by Tánaiste Mary Coughlan after German aircraft maintenance firm Lufthansa Technik Airmotive Ireland put 465 Dublin-based staff on protective notice.

The company has signalled its intent to wind down the Dublin operation after staff there voted against new cost-saving proposals rubber-stamped by the Labour Court. Lufthansa had said a rejection by staff would lead it to hold off on a $40 million (€30m) investment which would have secured a new engine contract — and the future of the plant. The protective notice comes into effect from April 27.

“It is anticipated that up to 150 staff, both direct and indirect, may need to be laid off in the immediate future,” LTAI said in a letter issued to all staff.