Siptu tells Aer Lingus of concerns

THE PRESIDENT of the country's largest union, Siptu, has written to the chief executive of Aer Lingus expressing concern at reports that the airline was considering the widespread outsourcing of ground operation jobs in Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports.

It has been reported that the move could affect up to 1,300 people - the bulk of whom are represented by the union. In a letter yesterday Jack O'Connor sought assurances that newspaper reports on this issue were incorrect and without foundation.

"We are extremely concerned at this speculation/reportage, given existing commitments to information, consultation and negotiation encompassed within agreements and within social partnership generally at all levels.

"This concern has been compounded by the lack of information from Aer Lingus to date, and at the time of the writing of this letter," Mr O'Connor said.

He sought a meeting with Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion and the Aer Lingus senior management as soon as possible. Mr O'Connor has warned that if outsourcing plans at Aer Lingus, along the lines suggested in the media reports, were to materialise it would effectively "torpedo" the current process aimed at securing a new national pay deal. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Mr O'Connor said: "The prospect of anything that would emerge from here winning approval against a background of what appears to be envisaged at Aer Lingus is unlikely."

Siptu is to hold a special conference and a ballot on any new deal that emerges from the talks and it is understood that there are concerns in the union that any such Aer Lingus proposals could sway members to vote against any new agreement.