The draft policy would allow airlines outside of the EU and US to pick up passengers at Irish airports for onward travel to the United States. IALPA President Evan Cullen said this would allow airlines outside the EU and US to compete directly with airlines that employ members in Ireland.

“Having examined the trading conditions involved in this sort of arrangement, it’s very clear that these airlines would be operating with the help of several unfair advantages over airlines based in the EU,” he said.

IALPA has sent a template letter to members, and has asked members to send a copy to TDs.

The closing date for submissions to this draft policy document is Wednesday 30th July 2014.

Letter

The letter to TDs says: “At present, under the US-EU “Open Skies” agreement, any EU airline is free to operate through Irish airports with passenger pick-up rights in Ireland and onward to the US. In this respect, Ireland is well served as a point of access between the US and all parts of the EU.

“If the proposed approach is adopted I am concerned that it will pose a threat both to my own job security and that of my colleagues. I’m further concerned that this proposal will serve, in the long term, to erode our terms and conditions of employment.

“While the draft policy states that it will “take account of EU criteria on fair competition” in any bilateral negotiations on these arrangements, I am genuinely concerned that this will be wholly ineffective in preventing damage to the jobs and working conditions of people employed in the Irish aviation industry.

“Those working in the aviation industry will acknowledge that airlines based outside the EU and US do not operate with the same cost base as airlines in the EU and US. The difference in cost base is due to differences in taxation, employment rights and significantly different regulatory environments.

Minimum wage

“For example, airlines from the UAE are not subject to minimum wage or equality legislation, and employer social insurance charges. Some of these airlines operate with some very outdated policies including, for example, automatic dismissal in the event that a member of staff is married. Moreover, many of these airlines enjoy considerable state support in terms of financing, fuel, home base airport charges and regulatory oversight.

“In short, with equal access to this market, these airlines would be competing with us on uneven playing pitch with conditions in their favour.

“As a worker in this industry I have demonstrated a willingness to be flexible and to accommodate change in a rapidly changing industry. It hasn’t been easy but my colleagues and I have worked hard to stay in business and to compete on an open market, and to keep Irish airlines and consumers to the fore.”

For more information on how to get involved with the campaign please contact admin@ialpa.net