Unions vote for industrial action in pensions dispute

Union members representing Aer Lingus and Dublin Airport Authority staff have voted in favour of industrial action over a pensions…

Union members representing Aer Lingus and Dublin Airport Authority staff have voted in favour of industrial action over a pensions dispute arising from a shortfall in the Irish Aviation Superannuation Scheme.

SIPTU, Impact, Mandate, TEEU, Unite and UCAT, which represent about 4,500 workers, voted to engage in industrial action in the event that either or both companies allow changes to be made to the scheme without the agreement of the staff.

Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ industrial officer Liam Berney said the ballot had arisen as a result of a scheme deficit of €600-€700 million, which the unions say must be addressed in weeks to come.

Mr Berney said the unions did not anticipate industrial action in the short term, adding that the unions had not yet met to discuss what form any potential industrial action would take.