Union Disappointed At The Collapse Of Talks To Resolve Pension Crisis

SIPTU has expressed its disappointment at the collapse of talks at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) aimed at resolving the pensions crisis at Aer Lingus and the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA).

According to SIPTU Organiser, Dermot O'Loughlin, union members and Congress representatives will meet on Tuesday to discuss their response to the latest breakdown of negotiations.

"It is disappointing that there has been no progress in the discussions to resolve the crisis which threatens thousands of employees with financial ruin in their retirement years. The intransigence of Aer Lingus is particularly disturbing as the airline is responsible for its failure to properly fund the pension scheme over many years.

"At the same time, the company has made generous pension contributions for a small number of elite staff which are ten times greater than those made for employees at lower grades. Aer Lingus has cash reserves of €1 billion and could resolve this issue if it had the will to do so. Unlike the DAA, it has refused to engage in meaningful discussions at the Labour Court or LRC over recent weeks.

"As a consequence, our members and Congress representatives are left with no choice but to meet on Tuesday (30th October) to consider the appropriate forms of industrial or other action necessary to bring this dispute over the pension deficit to a satisfactory conclusion."

(CD/IT)