This article is from page 10 of the 2006-07-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
FINE Gael TD Pat Breen has come out in support of the stance of Shannon-based Aer Lingus workers in relation to job security and pension issue fears.
Deputy Breen was speaking in the Dáil on the Government motion to sell Aer Lingus.
The TD said that Shannon jobs were at risk due to the uncertainties in the industry and the fears raised over the mishandling of the airline’s sale.
He said the workers were the people who had protected the airport through the years, yet their security and pension rights were now in jeopardy.
“They will be the victims of what will happen in Aer Lingus in the future. I worry about the future of those working in the Airbus A330 hangar at Shannon Airport. In a privatised Aer Lingus, the jobs of workers at check-in desks at Shannon Airport could be at stake because a new owner could decide to sub-contract this work.”
He pointed out that Shannon Airport was the second-largest airport in the country, and that it is the “key economic driver for business and tourism in the mid-west region. It is a counterbalance to the immense growth in the eastern region.”
He said that since the withdrawal of World Airways from Shannon Airport, catering work had gone from 3,000 meals a day to 800.
The airport had been the main loser when Aer Lingus decided to cut its services as a reaction to 9/11.
“We lost in the region of 64 flights in Shannon Airport. Since then there has been a continual erosion of services.
“This year we have only four direct flights a week from Shannon to the US. The rest of the services originate in Dublin and go onwards to Shannon. That cuts back capacity for people coming in through our airport.”
Deputy Breen said that the climate was wrong for floating Aer Lingus on the stock exchange, with investor confidence at very low levels.
“Although Ryanair had its highest profits ever this year, the share price is down approximately 15 per cent since the beginning of the year. The share price has been flat over the past three years.
“One might question if this is the correct time to have an initial public offering.”
Deputy Breen accused Transport Minister Martin Cullen of making a fatal mistake in negotiating the three-for-one rule when he renegotiated the Bilateral Agreement last year in the run up to Open Skies.
“As a result of Aer Lingus being so small, in a post Open Skies scenario the company could be swallowed up by the big carriers, such as British Airways and Lufthansa.”