Urgent action needed to protect jobs in aviation industry
Reacting to news that Aer Lingus are seeking to implement further unilateral pay cuts to their staff, Labour TD for Dublin Fingal, Duncan Smith, has called on the Government to give assurances that the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme will be available to the aviation sector until the end of 2020.
Deputy Smith said:
“It is regrettable that Aer Lingus have pushed ahead with further unilateral pay cuts to their staff.
“Last night I called on the Government to extend the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme to the aviation sector until the end of the year.
“I welcome the fact that the Government has established a taskforce on rescuing the aviation industry but it is clear that this taskforce needs to be allowed to do its work quickly.
“Aer Lingus seem to be ploughing on with cuts regardless. With this State intervention, the company should hold off any further cuts to pay and unilateral compulsory redundancies. Strong engagement is needed with trade unions at this time.
“This is a difficult time for the aviation industry but if we work together with a holistic approach to protecting our aviation industry we will be able to protect jobs and the livelihoods of staff while keeping the aviation sector in tact.
“It is clear that the Government need to take urgent action to address the potential torrent of job losses. We need the Government’s taskforce to set out a work plan sticking to a strict timetable and assurances are needed on the extension of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme for the aviation industry until at least the end of 2020.”