SIPTU to oppose sell-off of Government stake in Aer Lingus

SIPTU will vigorously oppose the Government plan to sell-off its 25% of shares in Aer Lingus due to the failure of the company to provide commitments to workers that it will not impose compulsory redundancies or the outsourcing of jobs. SIPTU Construction and Utilities Division Organiser, Owen Reidy, said: "SIPTU has been consistent with its position that the Government should not consider any sale, unless a legally binding commitment, such as a Register Employment Agreement, which directly addresses the issues of compulsory redundancies and no outsourcing of functions is agreed by the company.”   He added: “Regrettably, it seems this is not the case. The workers who have made a huge contribution towards making Aer Lingus the success story it is today will ask the question why other legal guarantees can be entered into but not ones that give them some certainty.   “We will be calling on government and other TDs to vote against the Dáil motion to sell the State’s remaining shares in Aer Lingus. SIPTU members will also resist by all means open to them any attempts by Aer Lingus to outsource functions or to pursue compulsory redundancies.”