Dublin Airport Authority staff belonging to SIPTU have voted to accept a €40m cost reduction programme. The vote was carried by 1,121 votes in favour to 541 against. Union officials had strongly recommended acceptance.
Under the proposals, 275 permanent jobs and 100 temporary positions will go across the three airports in Dublin, Cork and Shannon. There will be a pay freeze until at least the middle of 2011.
To avert pay cuts, a novel Employee Recovery Investment Contribution scheme will be introduced.
Money will be deducted from earnings, but if certain realistic profitability targets are met, that money could be reimbursed to staff at a later date. Pay levels may also be fully restored after a reasonable period of sustained profitability.
A €1m once-off fund will be set aside and paid out to participating staff if the agreed cost recovery target is met. Increments will continue to be paid and annual leave and bank holiday entitlements will remain unchanged. But uncertified sick leave will be halved from four days a year to two. Overtime rates will also be reduced.
The Dublin Airport Authority also wants to negotiate new pay terms and conditions for new permanent entrants.
