Unions accuse Aer Lingus of sabre-rattling with threat of 1,100 job losses

UNIONS at Aer Lingus have described as “sabre-rattling” the company’s threat of 1,100 job losses at the airline if workers do not accept a €97 million savings programme.

It has also warned the intimidatory behaviour of management could force workers to reject the deal even if they initially intended to accept it.

After four months of protracted negotiations, Aer Lingus and its unions agreed the efficiencies across the airline through its “Greenfield” plan which involves 700 redundancies, pay cuts and pension changes. However, for the last number of weeks there has been no official sign-off on the deal. The unions are balloting their members on the deal, with those ballots due to be completed in the next fortnight.