Aer Lingus & unions set for LRC talks
Tuesday, 17 November 2009 16:40Aer Lingus management and unions are to attend the Labour Relations Commission for talks on cutting the airline's cost base by up to €97m a year.
It follows an intervention by the industrial relations group the National Implementation Body.
Last month, Aer Lingus announced that its Transformation Plan would feature savings from staff costs totalling €74m. This would include 676 redundancies, pay cuts, changes in work practices and new pension arrangements.
The airline is also seeking to raise a further €23m a year through other non-payroll efficiencies.
The deadline for the conclusion of local discussions between management and unions was tomorrow.
However, in a statement issued today the National Implementation Body recommends that both sides should avail of the services of the Labour Relations Commission for facilitated talks in an effort to successfully conclude negotiations.
It says solutions to the current difficulties need to be found urgently and talks should commence no later than next Monday and be concluded as soon as possible.
The NIB will review progress on all the issues on 30 November.
In a statement, Aer Lingus said it was focussed on achieving agreement with all staff groups in the week ahead.
