SIPTU receives assurances about Aer Lingus jobs

SIPTU says it has received assurances that Aer Lingus is not planning sweeping jobs cuts as reported in yesterday's newspapers.

The union held talks with the airline's management yesterday evening to discuss the reports, which claimed job losses and cost cuts were being planned to help Aer Lingus compete with Ryanair.

SIPTU had been sceptical about the claims as it received assurances about job security ahead of the privatisation of the national carrier.

Spokesman Christy McQuillan says Aer Lingus clarified last night that, while it would be examining costs, there were no proposals for sweeping job cuts.

He said the only purpose served by the newspaper reports was "to assist the Ryanair agenda and the Michael O'Leary agenda, which is to slash and burn jobs if he were to get his hands on the company".