SIPTU waiting to see Aer Lingus cost-cutting proposals

SIPTU says it is adopting a wait-and-see approach following indications of further significant cutbacks at Aer Lingus.

Yesterday, the former state airline announced losses of €93m for the first six months of this year.

It said it could no longer afford to pay high wages to staff and also hinted that it may move some of its Irish operations to lower-cost locations abroad.

SIPTU spokesman Padraig Yates says he expects the company to come forward with proposals in the coming months and the union will be waiting to see what those proposals contain.

It says any plan to reduce the airline’s costs must be approached in a fair manner.