This article is from page 11 of the 2006-06-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
POLITICIANS have been grilled by airline and airport workers, at a meeting on privatisation plans for Aer Lingus and changes in the Shannon stopover.
Union representatives said those seeking election should be in no doubt that they would be judged on their actions in relation to these issues.
“Too often politicians say they don’t see something as an issue. This was an opportunity for the people closest to these issues to make their opinions known to the politicians,” said Tony Carroll of SIPTU, the union which called the meeting and invited elected representatives and candidates.
He added that those attending “are close to the issues but they are also voters. And they will be active when it comes to voting.”
There was a good turnout at the Great Southern Hotel in Shannon with representation from both the 200 Aer Lingus members and the 500 Aer Rianta workers.
SIPTU is concerned about jobs, pay and conditions in the event of privatisation and the union argues that selling up is not the only way of accessing cash.
“For instance, there is €20 billion being made available under the Transport 21 initiative. Aer Lingus only needs €400m. We say that a State holding company could be set up to allow the airline to access funds without selling up,” said Carroll.
On the ending of the Shannon stopover, the union wants to Government to abandon interim plans, to reduce the number of landings from the US at Shannon from to one in three.