Aer Lingus maintenance workers’ future still up in the air

HOPES are high that a deal can be struck between unions and Aer Lingus over the future of about 70 of its workers in its Airbus A330 hangar maintenance operation from Shannon.

 

Unite representative Brian Gormley told The Clare Champion on Wednesday that the union is seeking clarification on a number of options that are on the table between both parties, as part of a Labour Relations Commission review.

Mr Gormley hoped the union would be in a position to send out these proposals to members for their consideration in the near future.

Considering negotiations are now at a fairly sensitive stage, Mr Gormley declined to comment any further on the specifics of what may be hindering a deal.

Aer Lingus has confirmed it will relocate its Airbus A330 hangar maintenance operation from Shannon to Dublin in 2013.

According to the company, the purpose of relocating the operations is to carry out the maintenance where the majority of the aircraft are based. The Aer Lingus A330 fleet currently comprises seven aircraft, of which only one is based in Shannon.

“Aer Lingus are currently in the process of forming an agreement with staff representatives in relation to relocation arrangements for staff who wish to transfer to Dublin and voluntary severance arrangements for staff who wish to exit the company.

“Thirteen maintenance positions will remain in Shannon to carry out aircraft line maintenance,” said a company spokeswoman.

Meanwhile, it is understood that negotiations are continuing between Transaero and Aer Lingus concerning the proposed sale of the latter’s Airbus A330 maintenance operation at Shannon.

Transaero has established a new maintenance company based at Shannon, as a result of its purchase of the Air Atlanta aircraft maintenance operation, called Transaero Engineering Ireland.

Transaero began as a charter airline with aircraft leased from Aeroflot. It was incorporated as a joint stock company on December 28, 1990 and was the first non-Aeroflot company approved for scheduled passenger services in the Soviet Union.

Mr Gormley confirmed negotiations have been held between Aer Lingus and Transaero concerning the possible purchase of this hangar, but was unable to comment on reports that Transaero is also looking at obtaining a second hangar as part of its expected expansion.

Asked if this possible sale offered a potential lifeline to Aer Lingus maintenance workers, Mr Gormley said he understood that workers wish to remain with the national carrier.

While Councillor P J Ryan welcomed any new deal involving the purchase of the former Aer Lingus hangar, he expressed concern about the ability of existing workers to maintain the same terms and conditions if they are hired by Transaero.

He claimed the existing Aer Lingus relocation offer to Dublin is not a realistic offer for most of the Shannon workers, who cannot afford to sell their house and purchase a more expensive dwelling in the capital.