Workers accept terms for sale of hotel group

Siptu members at the Great Southern Hotels have voted to accept terms attached to the sale of the group recommended by the Labour Court.

The recommendations include a condition that the new owners recognise Siptu negotiation rights and establish a defined contribution pension scheme for all former employees at the current contribution rate.

It also covers a voluntary severance package, payments on the transfer of ownership to new owner and conditions of employment on transfer to new owner.

Siptu national industrial secretary Gerry McCormack said: "Approval of the proposals was subject to a number of issues concerning the payment of outstanding monies due under Sustaining Progress within an agreed timeframe and the terms of reference for the independent third party regarding disputes, redundancies and transfer payments to be agreed."

The agreement covers approximately 950 workers.

"The negotiating committee are happy that the terms provide the best possible deal for those wishing to take the severance package and also protects the employment conditions for those who will transfer to new owners," he said.

Management have already accepted the Labour Court recommendations.

The nine hotels were put up for sale as part of the restructuring of Aer Rianta by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), which assumed control of the loss-making hotel group.

Despite being regarded in the business community as a highly inefficient operation because of the State's role in it ownership, the deadline for expressions of interest in buying the group was extended to the end of last month because of the volume of tenders.

The chain consist of hotels at Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports, two in Galway city, Derry city, Parknasilla and Killarney, Co Kerry and Rosslare, Co Wexford.