Fórsa’s ballot of Aer Lingus cabin crew, on the proposals in the airline’s Covid Crisis Recovery Plan, concludes next Monday (22^nd June). This, despite yesterday’s announcement that management will proceed with layoffs and further reductions to working hours and pay. Fórsa says it’s entirely reasonable to give those affected by the plan’s sweeping measures a week to express their views. Read more here. 

Also in aviation, The Shannon Group has expressed disappointment with the decision by United Airlines not to resume its seasonal daily service between Shannon Airport and New York/Newark.  In a statement, a spokesperson for the Group said "the ability of our region to rebuild in the aftermath of the pandemic is reliant on having a strong airport and It once again highlights the vital need for a strong Government support package to kick-start recovery.” 

The parliamentary parties of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens endorsed the programme for government late last night, and the document will be now be posted to their individual memberships for ballot.

The Examiner reports that a Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces is to be established under a commitment contained in the Programme for Government. Sources connected with the talks have said there is also a plan to have a permanent review body to examine Defence Force pay and conditions once the Commission has concluded its work. This review will also see if affiliate membership of ICTU by members of the Defences Forces is possible. 

Under the programme, the Government has also committed to examining “the introduction of a new ground of discrimination, based on socio-economic disadvantaged status to the Employment Equality and Equal Status Acts.” Fórsa member and activist Paul McKeon has worked tirelessly on this issue for many years and wrote an excellent piece on the subject in the Fórsa Winter edition which can viewed here (page 12). 

Elsewhere, the number of people receiving the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment has fallen to 515,700 - down 15% on the peak of almost 600,000 during the economic shutdown. For the first time, more people are in jobs subsidised by the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme than are receiving the PUP.

A new report on the housing market shows that while restrictions imposed to halt the spread of Covid-19 will have a huge impact on housing supply this year, demand may be more resilient amongst borrowers on typical home buyer incomes.

Finally, The Times has this piece, which examines Ireland's social protection illness benefit. 

Now for some Zen. The Electric Light Orchestra started a five-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Discovery' their first No.1 LP, on this day in 1979. Here's one of my favourites from the album.