Aer Lingus ground staff reject ‘one-sided’ cost-saving proposals

Aer Lingus staff working in ground operations in Dublin have overwhelmingly rejected proposals by the airline for cost reductions and work practice changes to offset losses arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. The trade union Siptu said its members working in ground operations for Aer Lingus at Dublin Airport had voted by 82 per cent against the proposed measures. The union said it represented about 1,100 workers employed by Aer Lingus as ground crew in Dublin Airport. Siptu sector organiser Niall Phillips said: “Prior to this ballot, union representatives engaged with management at the company concerning changes it wished to implement due to the losses the company incurred during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our members have clearly rejected what was proposed to them. Workers in the aviation sector have been severely affected by the Covid-19 crisis. Many have been laid off for long periods of time, others saw significant reductions in their working hours, and hundreds have been made redundant across the sector.”<br/>