Legal move won’t fly

The Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar has described the Aer Lingus decision to sue SIPTU for damages to the tune of millions as being unhelpful.

The decision to sue SIPTU’s policy advisor Dermot O’Loughlin personally tells its own tale. Unfortunately, this drama takes the attention and focus away from where it should be right now — on bringing this dispute to a fair and equitable conclusion.

Behind the headlines are workers who are worried about how they will be able to provide for themselves in their retirement. The decision to withhold gain share payments (payments made to staff in recognition of productivity increases under the Greenfield savings programme) is also unhelpful to creating an environment for meaningful engagement.

The irony is that the pension row is an impediment to Aer Lingus. It is also creating uncertainty for the travelling public, which in turns affects their travel choices.

The most prudent thing to do now is to set aside all legal proceedings and create the best flying conditions that will best allow the Government-convened expert panel conduct its work in an expedient manner, which will help end this long-running dispute.

Killian Brennan

Malahide Road

Dublin 17