Christmas airport strikes ruled out

A ballot for strike action by Siptu members in Aer Lingus, Dublin Airport Authority, and Shannon Airport Authority will not impact on flights during the Christmas period, the union has pledged.

Siptu aviation sector organiser Dermot O’Loughlin said the decision to ballot members had been taken after talks on how to resolve the almost €800m deficit in the sectoral pension scheme had become a “farce”.

In October, management at Aer Lingus insisted it would not raise its proposed contribution to the ailing scheme, even though the scheme’s trustees believe members’ benefits will have to be cut by up to 25%.