A Cork TD says that it wouldn't cost Aer Lingus much, in the grand scheme of things, to keep employees on the books during upgrades to Cork Airport this autumn.
The airport will close from the 10th September to the 22nd November to carry out works on its main runway.
Sinn Féin's Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has said Aer Lingus workers are concerned that if they are laid off for the 10 week period, they will be pressured into accepting new contracts with less favourable terms and conditions, or not be asked to return at all.
He is calling on the the Minister for Transport to engage with Aer Lingus to ensure no worker is laid off at Cork Airport.
Speaking to RedFM News, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire says for Aer Lingus not to lay-off workers during upgrades to Cork Airport this autumn would be a sign of loyalty and respect:
"It is very little money in the grand scheme of things, in terms of Aer Lingus's budget. It is about loyalty and respect to workers who have served them, for many, many years in some instances, and ultimately it wouldn't cost them very much. In my view, it is the logical thing to do to keep these workers on, to keep them employed, to keep them on the books, and not to lay them off temporarily for the course of the 10 weeks that are involved."
