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SIPTU steps up campaign to save Aer Lingus

SIPTU is to call general meetings of its members in Aer Lingus for next week following an emergency meeting of shop stewards today, to save Aer Lingus.

These meetings will brief members on developments regarding Government policy towards the national airline, including the meeting with the Minister for Transport, Mr Martin Cullen, this afternoon.

This morning's emergency meeting agreed to ballot members for industrial action if necessary to protect members pay, conditions and pensions, in the event of privatisation.

Among concerns expressed by members was lack of consultation by the airline about issues such as agreement on core staffing levels, job evaluation, reward and recognition for change, and pensions. Many members also expressed concern over public interest aspects of the proposed privatisation in the light of other privatisations such as eircom and B & I, which eventually became part of Irish Ferries.

Asked if the Union policy represented an escalation, SIPTU's National Industrial Secretary, Michael Halpenny said the Union was acting through procedures and any element of escalation in the situation had been introduced by the Government side.