SIPTU plays down Aer Lingus job-cuts rumours

SIPTU is playing down media reports that Aer Lingus is planning significant lay-offs to help it compete with Ryanair.

Reports this morning claimed the company's chief executive, Dermot Mannion, had told staff representatives during a meeting last night that significant cost cuts, including job losses, would be introduced.

SIPTU, however, says there was no mention of any redundancies during the meeting.

The union says Mr Mannion announced that the airline would be examining costs in all areas and would be engaging with staff to discuss ways to reduce these costs.

However, it says it received written commitments from the chairman and chief executive just last month that jobs would be protected after privatisation.

Spokesman Christy McQuillan, who was at the meeting, said this morning: "There was no question of job cuts. We've just entered into agreement with the company on job numbers, on job security, on new work-practice arrangements."