WORKERS at the Aer Lingus maintenance facility in Shannon are fearful for their jobs, following their shock announcement of proposals to move 70 jobs to Dublin.
Criticising Aer Lingus for proposing to transfer the 70 maintenance jobs, Deputy Willie O’Dea has written to the Aer Lingus CEO, Chistoph Mueller and has tabled a parliamentary question to the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar.
The first the Shannon workers heard of the proposal to shut the operation down, according to the deputy, was through the media.
“They were then told they can keep their jobs if they up sticks and move to Dublin – I’ve told Mr Mueller of the workers’ concern and have urged him to reconsider his decision”.
Referring to speculation that Aer Lingus has an agreement in place with the Russian firm, TransAero, to take over the hangar at Shannon with the result that there may be no net loss of jobs, Deputy O’Dea believes that if Aer Lingus were to maintain the Shannon facility it is likely that TransAero would increase its maintenance facilities in Shannon anyway, resulting in a net increase in jobs there, in the future.
“I am calling on the government to use its 25% stake in the company to ensure that the Aer Lingus maintenance facility remains in Shannon and that the government works with the various state agencies to ensure that there is a net increase in jobs in the aeronautical industry in Shannon”.
