Labour Party Must Block the Sale of Aer Lingus · Privatisation would result in job losses & potentially ability to travel · Board of Aer Lingus ‘slammed for looking after their vested interests’ The Anti-Austerity Alliance has today strongly condemned plans to privatise Aer Lingus. Ruth Coppinger TD said: “The selloff of Aer Lingus will have potentially devastating effects in terms of job losses and potentially on the ability of people to travel to and from Ireland. “Both SIPTU and IMPACT have said that the sale would result in job losses, with up to 1,200 being mentioned. The focus for IAG will be to maximise profits and, as they have done with other companies they have bought, this will result in job losses as they‘re-structure’ the company. Workers in Aer Lingus have had their working conditions continually attacked over a number of years, now it seems that the government are prepared to throw them to the wolves. Seeking assurances from IAG that they wont change anything in Aer Lingus is like asking someone to whom youre selling your house to keep the same paint colour forever - its ludicrous. Once the company is sold, its sold. Aer Lingus workers can only rely on themselves to defend their jobs and work conditions. They must pressure politicians not to sell, but also prepare to consider whatever industrial action is necessary. Labour Party Must Block the Sale of Aer Lingus · Privatisation would result in job losses & potentially ability to travel · Board of Aer Lingus ‘slammed for looking after their vested interests’ The Anti-Austerity Alliance has today strongly condemned plans to privatise Aer Lingus. Ruth Coppinger TD said: “The selloff of Aer Lingus will have potentially devastating effects in terms of job losses and potentially on the ability of people to travel to and from Ireland. “Both SIPTU and IMPACT have said that the sale would result in job losses, with up to 1,200 being mentioned. The focus for IAG will be to maximise profits and, as they have done with other companies they have bought, this will result in job losses as they‘re-structure’ the company. Workers in Aer Lingus have had their working conditions continually attacked over a number of years, now it seems that the government are prepared to throw them to the wolves. Seeking assurances from IAG that they wont change anything in Aer Lingus is like asking someone to whom youre selling your house to keep the same paint colour forever - its ludicrous. Once the company is sold, its sold. Aer Lingus workers can only rely on themselves to defend their jobs and work conditions. They must pressure politicians not to sell, but also prepare to consider whatever industrial action is necessary. Cork AAA Cllr Mick Barry said: “The sale of Aer Lingus would mean complete control of Corks connectivity resting in the hands of profiteers who would ultimately decide to increase or reduce connectivity on the basis of profit potential. It is impossible to fully control what you do not own and if AIG secure full control of Aer Lingus they will find a way to get around any deal on connectivity if it damages their profit potential in the medium to long-term. Cllr Barry also slammed the Aer Lingus board for recommending IAGs 1.36Bn euro share offer and pointed out that Aer Lingus executives would be set to profit by 30m euro in share bonuses from a sale. He said: Senior Aer Lingus executives have a vested interest in pushing this sale through. But what is good for senior Aer Lingus executives is not necessarily good for the Cork region or for the workforce in Aer Lingus. Paul Murphy TD said: “The trade union movement and the workers must exert pressure on the Labour Party to oppose the sale of Aer Lingus. The Labour Party has the power to block this sale.” Paul Murphy TD said: “The trade union movement and the workers must exert pressure on the Labour Party to oppose the sale of Aer Lingus. The Labour Party has the power to block this sale.”
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 11:06:33 +0000