Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I want to make a few brief points about wages at Aer Lingus. The company saved €188 million last year on employee costs, which is a 46% reduction on 2019. Perhaps we should expect nothing less in a global pandemic. However, this was the largest percentage cut in any airline in the International Airlines Group, IAG. Interestingly, Aer Lingus represents approximately 6% of that group but, historically, has contributed more than 20% of its profits. All of this goes to show that the demand for further wage cuts at Aer Lingus is not reasonable. Not only is the company seeking to establish a new yellow-pack starting rate for ground staff, cabin crew and others of €12.40 an hour, it is also pushing for a four-year wage freeze and cuts to both sick pay and shift allowances.

The case is headed to the Workplace Relations Commission but I will take this opportunity to advise workers not to put all their eggs in that particular basket. They should organise and make preparations now to defend their wages and conditions. That is a cause that is 100% justified.

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