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fox1 · Guest

Source: Airpics

February 27, 2004

(17:20) Aer Lingus has blamed a significant decline in ground
handling business at Shannon for its decision to seek 102 voluntary
redundancies from its airport staff.

The company will formally announce the terms of a voluntary
redundancy package next week but it has ruled out compulsary
redundancies.

The move will virtually halve Aer Lingus ground staff numbers at
Shannon from 208 to 106.

The axe will fall on all grades including operatives, clerical staff
and management.

In future, Aer Lingus will only provide ground handling services for
its own aircraft.

It is understood there had been a recent significant drop in
handling business from other airlines passing through Shannon,
particularly military flights.

SIPTU has condemned the decision describing it as ironic in light of
the massive profits achieves by the company.

The union believes the decision flies in the face of assurances from
Transport Minister Séamus Brennan that Aer Lingus operations would
underpin the future viability of Shannon as a stand-alone identity
after the break up of Aer Rianta.

Separately, representatives of the Aer Lingus cabin crew union,
IMPACT, are meeting management at the Labour Relations Commission
today in a row over the compulsory relocation of 29 staff from
Shannon to Dublin.

Cabin crew have voted overwhelmingly for strike action over the
relocations.

The LRC talks also involve pilots, who have voted for industrial
action over fears that the airline plans to make some of them
redundant because there is not enough work for them.

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