Airport layoffs issue ‘will grow louder and louder’

A CORK TD has questioned the Tánaiste on layoffs at Cork Airport, warning it is an issue that is going to grow “louder and louder” in the coming months.

Solidarity TD Mick Barry argued it is not appropriate for Aer Lingus to place 198 workers on temporary layoff while continuing to receive Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) payments from the State.

The Cork North-Central TD said the workers are opposed to the plan that would see workers temporarily laid off while essential runway repairs are made.

He warned that if the issue remains unresolved for much longer, it will be “of quite major local significance”.

“The workers are opposed to this plan; they want to be kept on the company books and I support them,” he said.

“In Cork, this issue is already prominent and if left unresolved much longer, will I think, become an issue of quite major local significance and profile and in the constituency of the Taoiseach, the minister for foreign affairs and the minister for public expenditure and reform, at that.”

Mr Barry said at the time of the decision to announce the layoff, there was uncertainty around EWSS and its continuation. However, “there is no uncertainty around EWSS now”.

Mr Varadkar noted the financial support the aviation sector has received from the Government but stated that anything happening in relation to Aer Lingus employees in Cork Airport is an industrial relations matter and a matter for the employer and their staff.

“I don’t know enough about the dispute to comment on it definitively … but certainly, if it is possible for them to keep those staff on the payroll using the wage subsidy scheme, that would make sense to me. They might be on a reduced income but at least they would still be on the payroll and still be connected to the company. However, it might not be that simple.”

Mr Barry said this is an issue that is not going to go away. “If anything, it is going to grow louder and louder as we move towards September.”

An Aer Lingus spokesperson told The Echo: “Aer Lingus has written to Government asking for clarity on the conditions associated with the continuation of the EWSS and the level of support that will be provided under the extended scheme. We are awaiting a response to this request.”