Union to recommence talks to avert Aer Lingus strike

TALKS aimed at averting the planned strike in Aer Lingus, due to take effect before the end of this month, will recommence today as SIPTU meets with the Labour Relations Commission.

Over the weekend, SIPTU shop stewards agreed to a proposal from the National Implementation Body to attend the LRC. On Saturday, management met commission chairman Kevin Foley in a bid to open channels for further talks between the two sides in the dispute.

SIPTU, the main union at the airline, held talks with the commission on Friday. One positive sign in the protracted talks was the fact that the company has been considering new cost-saving proposals submitted by the company.

In a statement last night, SIPTU said the union would return to the commission today for further talks.

The threatened strike centres on the company’s plans to cut nearly 1,300 jobs in a €74 million cost-cutting package which incorporates extensive outsourcing of ground staff tasks.

Meanwhile, SIPTU organiser Karen O’Loughlin has called on workers and the wider community in Limerick to put pressure on Curran Aluminium Limited because of the firm’s refusal to concede “decent pay and conditions, as recommended by the Labour Court”.

This dispute centres on a Labour Court recommendation to improve the terms and conditions of employment for the company’s 14 employees.

“Unfortunately the company has refused to implement the recommendation or to recognise SIPTU, as recommended by the court. This problem should be of concern to all workers and decent employers.

“Each company that operates on less than minimum standards, or on less than what is considered the norm for the industry, undercuts good employers,” she said.

The dispute began on October 28.