IN a statement SIPTU, which has 350 members employed at Lufthansa Technik Shannon Ltd (LTSL) said it was “disappointed and concerned” at the scale of the job losses being proposed.
Spokesperson Karan O Loughlin, said, “SIPTU shop stewards and members have put hard work into maintaining the operation of this site as evidenced in the pandemic operation agreements entered into from September 2020 until March 2021 and a further agreement from March 2021 to September 1, 2021. They did this while awaiting the outcome of the due diligence process carried out by its new owners.”
She added, “SIPTU representatives now wish to engage with LTSL and AAG management concerning the scale of redundancies and a strategic way forward to protect the remaining employment, terms and conditions of our 350 members in LTSL.”
Clare TD Joe Carey said that engagement must happen. “Management need to engage with these loyal workers and their representatives.
“Many of these workers have been employed at Luftansa for decades. It’s really important that workers are treated fairly and that proper packages are put in place by the company who have received a large volume of state supports throughout the pandemic by means of the TWSS, EWSS and Rates Waiver,” he added.
He said that the news actually could have been worse. “A strategic review by the parent company has been on-going for some time. One of the options which was actively considered was full closure of the facility thankfully that has been averted and it is important to recognise that 300 jobs have been protected.”
Clare TD Michael McNamara said that workers had done a lot to keep the company going throughout the pandemic and that they deserve clarity now.
“They have played a key role in ensuring the future of the operation through their engagement with management and SIPTU over the past year. This included staff staggering work shifts with staff taking paid leave by availing of days built up over the years.”
“While the majority of contract staff were released in the last year, particularly at the beginning of the pandemic, management at the company has continued to engage with worker’s representatives from SIPTU.
“Following on from today’s announcement, it is important now that clarity is provided on all full-time positions at the company,” concluded Deputy McNamara.
Following Tuesday’s announcement, Clare TD Cathal Crowe said, “The conclusion of the strategic review of Lufthansa Technik Shannon is very much a double-edged sword.
“On one hand, the buyout of the company by Atlantic Aviation Group brings certainty to 300 jobs – but on the other, it now looks certain that more than 180 people won’t have their contracts renewed.
“This will be devastating for the individuals concerned and their families and for the coming weeks, many of them are going to face huge uncertainty not knowing if they will be retained or made redundant.
“I have spoken with a number of employees and they’re hugely upset that it has come to this and I have raised the issue in the Dáil with Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris.”
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked with a number of other publications in Limerick, Cork and Galway. His first book will be published in December 2024.