merrion street

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar has welcomed the joint statement issued this evening by ICTU and IBEC in relation to the proposed industrial action at Aer Lingus.

The statement calls on the parties to engage in fresh talks with the assistance of the Labour Relations Commission and sets out a process for finding a speedy resolution to the ongoing dispute concerning the pension issue.

It also calls on the Group of Unions in Aer Lingus to withdraw the notice of industrial action.

“I welcome the efforts of Congress and IBEC to persuade the parties involved in this dispute to make a fresh and wholehearted attempt to resolve this long-standing issue and their call for the withdrawal of the notice of industrial action that had been served by the Aer Lingus Group of Unions.

“Congress and IBEC have charted a sensible way forward. I urge the parties involved to respond positively to this initiative, to re-engage on the basis outlined in the joint statement so that a balanced and sustainable solution can be found for all involved, and that the proposed industrial action be avoided, thus ensuring the inconvenience that would have been caused to the thousands of passengers, tourists and businesses people does not occur.”