Transport minister Leo Varadkar is to consult with his ministerial colleagues on whether the Government should challenge the remuneration package of Aer Lingus chief executive Christoph Mueller.
Responding to a request from IMPACT, which has asked the Government to use its 25% holding in the company to vote against the €1.3 million package at the company’s forthcoming annual general meeting, Mr Varadkar said he was keeping the issue under review.
In a letter to the minister, IMPACT national secretary Matt Staunton said the chief executive’s proposed salary, pension and bonus package was an insult to staff who face uncertainty about their pensions and non-payment of most of their agreed gainsharing payments. He said the Government was a significant shareholder and should vote against a proposed AGM resolution to ratify the payment and other large pay packages for senior managers in the airline.
Responding to IMPACT’s request, Mr Varadkar said: “As you are aware, I have indicated concern about the increased pension contribution for the chief executive at a time when the pensions issue more generally remains unresolved.”
Separately IMPACT’s pilots' branch IALPA has asked members who have shares in the airline to vote against the huge pay packages. IALPA also recommended that its members back the re-election of ICTU general secretary David Begg to the board of Aer Lingus.
The Aer Lingus AGM takes place on Friday 2nd May at the Radisson Hotel, Dublin Airport at 2pm.
A copy of Mr Varadkar’s letter is available HERE
