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Taoiseach to meet Shannon Aer Lingus staff

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AER Lingus staff being laid off at Shannon are set to have a virtual meeting with An Taoiseach Michéal Martin, this Thursday.
In a statement this Wednesday, Clare TD Cathal Crowe said, “The meeting which I have organised to take place between An Taoiseach and Aer Lingus cabin crew based at Shannon Airport will now happen at 3:30pm this Thursday. Aer Lingus cabin crew will nominate four people to represent them at the meeting.
“The meeting will be conducted via video call and TDs and Senators from the Mid-West will not attend. Protocol would require all or none us to be invited.
“With no politicians in attendance, apart from An Taoiseach, the voices of Aer Lingus personnel will be in full focus.”
Last week there was good news for Aer Lingus staff as the airline announced it would not be laying off its staff at Cork Airport temporarily, while upgrade works happen, and Deputy Crowe said Aer Lingus should reconsider the decision to close the Shannon base.
“Aer Lingus confirmed that it will no longer be laying off its staff at Cork Airport during the runway’s closure later this year. This of course is positive news for the airline’s Cork-based staff.
“I believe this decision taken by senior management, largely made on the basis that the government is committed to a continuance of Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) for the aviation sector for the remainder of this year, should give new cause for the airline to now immediately halt their plans to permanently close their cabin crew base at Shannon Airport.”
Deputy Crowe said the taxpayer has provided a huge level of support to Aer Lingus and the airline should be obliged to maintain jobs in the circumstances.
“As my party’s spokesperson on aviation I will continue to do all that I possibly can to give Shannon Airport, the people who work there, the airlines that fly there and the industries that operate in the Shannon Free Zone the best possible bounce back in the months ahead.
“The Irish tax payers have largely paid the Aer Lingus wage bill over the past year. I think, with that, should come certain obligations on the airline in terms of routes, staffing levels and staff bases.”
He said there are now some reasons for optimism around the beleaguered aviation sector. “Throughout Covid, Ireland’s airports have been mothballing. Shannon had no commercial flights whatsoever for approximately a year.
“This week, the implementation of the Digital Covid Certificate, has given a large degree of hope and expectation back to those who work in aviation and also those who hold aviation close to their hearts.
“Now, in the first week of a long path back to recovery, is not a time for shedding staff and further destabilising a sector that’s on its knees. Now is time for backing aviation to the hilt.”

Owen Ryan

Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked for a number of other regional titles in Limerick, Galway and Cork.

About Owen Ryan

Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked for a number of other regional titles in Limerick, Galway and Cork.