'Reprehensible' to use holidaymakers' plans as 'pawns' in Aer Lingus dispute
Already Used To Has Due Taoiseach To Would An Step Been In Simon Considered Pawns Holiday The Industrial Is 'the Children, Back Idea From Relations That ' Their On That Summer Reprehensible Need And As Utterly The By Go People Dispute Be Brink Harris: Labour Court Passengers,
It is "utterly reprehensible" to use family holidaymakers' plans as "pawns" in the Aer Lingus industrial dispute, the Taoiseach has said.
Simon Harris was speaking as a planned work-to-rule that will lead to travel chaos over the summer is set to begin on June 26.
Mr Harris said "people need to step back from the brink here" and called on both sides in the dispute to use the industrial relations mechanisms available to them to avert the action that will almost certainly see flights disrupted.
"If we just think about this in real terms, many, many, many, families across the country have seen parents and others go to work over the course of the year and set aside a few bob to try and take their kids on a family holiday.
"And the idea that passengers, children, due to go on their summer holiday would be used as pawns in an industrial relations dispute that has already been considered by the Labour Court is utterly reprehensible and people need to step back from the brink."
Mr Harris said that the industrial relations mechanisms were open to both sides and that they should "get back in a room" and come to an agreement.
"What can Government do? Well, Government already does quite a lot because Government makes available the industrial relations mechanisms of this State and I would absolutely encourage people to utilise them.
"And let me tell you this, people have a right to engage in industrial disputes. But I think anybody who engages in industrial relations disputes and does not use those mechanisms, I don't imagine they're going to get much gratitude or support from the people of Ireland, the parents of Ireland, trying to pack bags and bring their kids on holiday but are not sure whether that will be able to go ahead.
The Aer Lingus pilots say they have received no pay rise since 2019 and are seeking a 24% increase, in line with the spike in inflation in that time.
Aer Lingus previously agreed to a 9.5% pay rise as recommended by the Labour Court last month.
Mr Harris also hit out at ongoing social media posts by Ryanair aimed at Eamon Ryan, the departing Green Party leader.
Mr Harris said Mr Ryan was "a textbook example for people about how you can be passionate, and a politician of conviction and not be rude and not be toxic and not feel hatred". He said the ongoing posts by the low-cost airline were "unedifying".
"Even when he is faced with those sorts of personal attacks on occasion, he's never responded or risen to that.
"I'm not getting into a thing around Ryanair because they only love when we're talking about them and it's more free ads for Ryanair, every time we say Ryanair, Ryanair, Ryanair. So let's not fall for that trap. That's how they work.
"So play to them on one level, if that's how their marketing works, but we should always call out toxicity and there is a difference between a joke and a bit of satire and then there is a point where people seek to demonise a human being."