Article from the March 2006 issue of the Socialist
newspaper of the Socialist Party, Irish section of the CWI
Aer Lingus Privatisation can be halted!
By Councillor Clare Daly
IN EARLY March when Martin Cullen, Minister for Transport, assured the unions that there would not be a St. Patrick's Day announcement on the imminent sell-off of Aer Lingus, he nonetheless made it abundantly clear that he wants to move full steam ahead with the sale as soon as possible. In other words, the government will put up a bit of a show' about listening to the unions concerns and "consultation", and then plough ahead irregardless.
When the unions explained that privatisation inevitably leads to job losses and an erosion of conditions, the Minister tried to justify his decision by saying that the only threat to jobs was if the company doesn't survive, which it won't unless it gets investment. Even if this was true, which it isn't, that doesn't mean that the company has to be sold off. There is nothing to stop the government investing, as it is a successful viable company.
Dress it up as they like, this is an ideological decision by Fianna Fail and the PDs to hand over a successful semi-state company to the many vultures in the wings, who seek to profit by it. Aer Lingus has been consistently profitable. Over the decades, it provided an important link to all the major capitals of the world, and a key role in postal services, cargo and important services like the transportation of human remains. Traditionally it provided relatively decent, secure, pensionable employment. If the government succeeds in its sell-off bid, all this will be sacrificed for the one goal - profit!
This is not inevitable. While the process is considerably more advanced than ever before, the workforce can stop this theft of state assets. Firstly the public has a far greater understanding of privatisation since the Eircom debacle saw many losing their savings, while the financial sharks made many killings. Meanwhile, the value of that company has plummeted, and infrastructural provision, such as the delivery of broadband, has been set back years because of privatisation.
Considerable public pressure can be brought to bear. With an election but a year away, the longer the government delay the more difficult it will be for them to attempt it.
SIPTU shop-stewards agreed to convene emergency meetings in the three airports and organise a protective ballot for industrial action. These meetings must be built for to ensure that every worker understands what the future would be like if the company was privatised. Outsourcing of services, which was attempted by Willie Walsh, will become the order of the day. All staff or services would be largely contracted in.
There must be no delay in balloting for industrial action. The government should be made aware that they will pursue this agenda at their peril. There is no justification for this decision. Even on a capitalist basis, they are on weak ground. It's time to put the boot in. Aer Lingus workers must be prepared to take action to defend our jobs and services, and ultimately the future of the airline itself.
Earlier reports on Aer Lingus
are available in our sitemap