[Article] Cullen to discuss privatisation with unions

Victor

http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0403/aerlingus.html

Cullen to discuss privatisation with unions
03 April 2006 14:08

The Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, is expected to meet trade union leaders later today to discuss the privatisation of Aer Lingus.

Mr Cullen will present proposals on the issue to Cabinet this week.

The SIPTU delegation will be led by the union's General President, Jack O'Connor, and will include the National Industrial Secretary Michael Halpenny.

SIPTU members have voted in favour of industrial action if the Government press ahead with privatisation without consultation.

Speaking on RTÉ's The Week in Politics programme last night, the Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, said Aer Lingus needed the investment generated from trading some of its shares if it were to prosper.

However, the Labour Party's Transport spokeswoman, Roisín Shortall, said Aer Lingus could continue to grow in State ownership.

She said as the national carrier, it was important to retain access to other parts of the world.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has said the Government will seek certain protections for the customers and staff of Aer Lingus if it proceeds with a privatisation.

Mr Ahern said there were issues about pensions and staff conditions as well as the strategic importance of the airline which would have to be guaranteed.

He said these issues would be addressed at this evening's meeting.

Victor

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/topstories/7775477?view=Eircomnet

Minister to meet Aer Lingus unions
From:ireland.com
Monday, 3rd April, 2006

Aer Lingus union leaders meet Minister for Transport Martin Cullen this afternoon in advance of an expected Cabinet decision tomorrow to proceed with a part-privatisation of the airline.

It is now anticipated that Mr Cullen will propose a September flotation of the company, rather than a sell-off by June as had been expected. The Government is likely to retain a 25 per cent stake.

Today's meeting was requested by Mr Cullen, who promised last month that workers' representatives would be consulted before a final decision was taken by the Cabinet. One of the two main unions involved, Siptu, has balloted already for industrial action in the event of privatisation being imposed without agreement.

A less strident stance has been adopted by the other major union in the company, Impact, which is seeking guarantees on a number of issues including pay, pensions and job security.

Impact deputy general secretary Shay Cody said yesterday it would raise two main concerns with Mr Cullen today.

Firstly, it would seek an assurance that all of its concerns about industrial relations issues, such as job security and pay, would be addressed before privatisation was implemented. Secondly, it wanted a commitment that the intention to retain a 25 per cent State holding in the company was a long-term strategy, he said.

Mr Cody said that while Impact, which represents pilots and cabin crew, had no plans for industrial action, it reserved the right to go that route if its concerns were not addressed.

Siptu, however, is to warn Aer Lingus today that it will face industrial action if it proceeds to privatisation without agreement.

Members of the union, which represents about half the airline's 3,600 staff, voted by a nine-to-one majority last week in favour of such a stance.

A Government spokesman confirmed yesterday that the privatisation plan was likely to be presented to the Cabinet tomorrow.

The plan was in the final stages of preparation, he said, and the date for the flotation could be September, rather than June as expected earlier. The Government did not have any problem with September if it was necessary to wait until then to get everything right,.

Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion said last month that unless a decision was taken in March, getting a sale completed by June would be difficult.

Victor

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2006/04/03/story252228.html

Cullen to discuss sell-off plans with Aer Lingus unions
03/04/2006 - 07:59:13

Transport Minister Martin Cullen is due to meet unions representing workers at Aer Lingus today to discuss his planned privatisation of the national airline.

Mr Cullen has already indicated that he favours a stock-market flotation rather than a sale to private investors and the cabinet is expected to approve this plan tomorrow.

Today's meeting is taking place following a promise that unions would be consulted before any final decision was taken on the matter.

SIPTU has already voted for strike action if the Government presses ahead with privatisation without reaching an agreement on the issue with Aer Lingus workers.

The union has said it is concerned about the protection of jobs, pay and working conditions, as well as a massive shortfall in the Aer Lingus pension fund.

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/breaking/7775326?view=Eircomnet

Cullen to meet unions over Aer Lingus plan
From:ireland.com
Monday, 3rd April, 2006

Minister for Transport Martin Cullen is to meet union representatives this afternoon over the proposed privatisation of Aer Lingus.

The Cabinet is expected to decide tomorrow to proceed with a part-privatisation of the airline.

Mr Cullen will propose a September flotation of the company, rather than a sell-off by June as had been expected. The Government is likely to retain a 25 per cent stake.

Siptu, which represents around half of the airline's 3,600 staff, has balloted already for industrial action in the event of privatisation without agreement.

The Impact union will seek assurances at today's meeting over job security and pay. The union also wants a commitment that the Government's intention to retain a 25 per cent holding in Aer Lingus is a long-term strategy.