Shannon Airport staff belonging to SIPTU are to ballot for strike action after the Shannon Group, which operates the airport, confirmed it was proceeding with a 20% pay cut.
SIPTU says it represents around 180 of the 245 employees at the airport, half of whom have already had their working hours cut due to the coronavirus-related collapse in aviation traffic.
Shannon Group notes that the airport has been particularly badly affected with passenger numbers falling by 96% between April and June.
Aer Lingus has laid off all Shannon-based staff, and while some Ryanair services resumed in June, traffic through the airport is still down 87% on last year.
Aer Lingus declined to comment on reports in the Irish Times that it was also considering transferring two long-haul planes used for transatlantic and Heathrow routes from Shannon to regional bases in the UK for 2021.
If the Aer Lingus aircraft were transferred to the UK, it could leave Shannon with just one United States service next year operated by American Airlines - as Delta and United Airlines have already ruled out resuming Shannon flights next year.
"Unfortunately each time we communicate with each other the crisis in the business seems to be getting deeper. This is the context for the temporary pay reductions communicated to relevant staff recently," Shannon Group Human Resources Director, Chris O'Donovan said in a letter to the Trade Union Group today.
He noted that the closing date for applications for the voluntary redundancy scheme passed last Friday, adding that the company is now reviewing those applications.
He told the union group that it would be helpful to engage as soon as possible to see what further savings can be gained by voluntary departures under that scheme.
Responding to a follow-up union email asking whether the proposed 20% pay cut would be postponed, Mr. O'Donovan stated: "SAA is not postponing the implementation of the temporary pay reduction."
SIPTU Aviation Sector Organiser Neil McGowan said the union had been consistent in telling Shannon Airport management that it would not accept any reduction in the hourly rate of pay.
He said it was extremely regrettable that management had refused to change course on the action.
Mr McGowan said SIPTU was determined to take all steps to protect its members' interests at Shannon Airport, and to ensure that quality employment remained the norm.
The ballot is expected to take a number of weeks.
Shannon Group has joined with other aviation companies in calling for the immediate implementation of the Taskforce for Aviation Recovery, which included a call for a stimulus package regional airports to encourage the rebuilding of traffic.
