Paul Murphy: Aer Lingus staff reject pay freeze 85% - urges support
Paul Murphy spoke about Aer Lingus ground staff rejecting a proposed pay freeze and cuts to allowances, and he urged support for the workers. He argued the pay freeze is unfair amid the cost of living crisis and criticised attempts across the aviation industry to use the pandemic to weaken labour terms.
Vote outcome and worker situation
He noted Aer Lingus ground staff voted 85% against a proposal to impose a pay freeze and cuts to allowances. He praised the workers and highlighted that they have not had a pay rise since 2019.
Labour Court and cost of living contrast
He said the Labour Court was pushing to continue the pay freeze for almost three more years and described that as unacceptable during a severe cost of living crisis. He contrasted this with IAG granting a 10% pay increase at other airlines.
Industry practices and DAA example
He asked the Taoiseach to oppose moves across the aviation industry to reshape labour relations in the interests of employers rather than workers. He cited the DAA example where many workers signed up for severances and were later rehired on substantially worse terms and conditions.
Government measures and pension comment
He recalled that the government supported Aer Lingus workers through the E-Wiz arrangement and supported the company alongside other aviation firms after calls in the House. He said workers should be treated fairly and on a par with UK employees in the same company, and noted the government supports ending mandatory retirement - the Pensions Commission has reported on that and it will return to government.
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Thanks, Count Corlea. Teachta, I also want to talk about the Aer Lingus ground staff. They very decisively rejected a proposal to impose a pay freeze and cuts to allowances on them today, voting 85% against it. Fair play to them. These are workers who haven't had a pay rise since 2019, and the Labour Court was pushing to continue with that pay freeze for almost three more years. When the cost of living is through the roof, as you yourself have now pointed out, at the same time, IAG granting a 10% pay increase at other airlines. Taoiseach, do you agree that a pay freeze is simply not fair during this cost of living crisis? And will you support these workers and oppose the attempts right across the aviation industry to use the pandemic to reshape labour relations in the interests of the bosses against the workers, for example, seen at DAA, where they got a huge number of workers to sign up for severances and then have rehired people on substantially worse terms and conditions? In respect of the Aer Lingus situation, as I said earlier, the government supported the workers in Aer Lingus through the E-Wiz and supported the company, along with other companies in aviation. Many people in the House were calling for that, and we did that, and I think the workers should be treated fairly and, in my view, on a par with what is happening with UK employees working in the same overall company. We support the end of mandatory retirement, and the Pensions Commission has reported on that, and that will come back to government also. Question 18, please. Question 18 ... Please ChairOW
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