Late on Friday there was some moderately good news from the aviation sector, as it was confirmed that nearly 160 Aer Lingus workers in Cork no longer face temporary layoff in the autumn after the airline said it would keep them on the payroll.
In other Aer Lingus news, the Sunday Times reported yesterday that the company will not take delivery of five wide-body Airbus A350 aircraft it has on order, "calling into question the future of its transatlantic operations that had expanded rapidly before the pandemic." There's further repercussions from the 'bogus self-employment' row at Montrose, as the same paper reports that RTE workers who were wrongly employed on short-term contracts are seeking substantial compensation from the station,
The Belfast Telegraph carries a story about concerns over a conference motion to Congress later this year. The motion, supporting a united Ireland, has been forwarded to ICTU for consideration by Waterford Council of Trade Unions, and has been criticised by former CWU national organiser and founder of the Peace Train Organisation, Rev Chris Hudson, on grounds that it could “undo all the great cross-community legacy and work” of ICTU in Northern Ireland.
Elsewhere, Martin Wall has a story in the Irish Times about public service pay determination and the pay of defence forces personnel and Dublin Bus drivers could be looking at a 15% pay boost for getting on board with Bus Connects.
Zen
For your Zen this morning, a recommendation for one of the tours available from Richmond Barracks in Inchicore. I took the guided tour of Goldenbridge cemetery on Saturday morning, under the excellent guidance of our former Congress/CPSU colleague Fergus Whelan (pictured).
Opened by The Liberator himself, Daniel O'Connell, in the 1820s (the copper beech tree he planted to mark the occasion continues to provide excellent shade from the hot July sun), Ireland's first garden cemetery was modelled on the famous Parisian cemetery Père Lachaise, the final resting place of Oscar Wilde, Chopin, Jim Morrison and Edith Piaf, among others.
The rich history and beautiful surroundings are well worth a visit, but Fergus's excellent guidance brings the whole experience to another level. More info and booking details are available here. Fergus, meanwhile, is a busy man. On Wednesday this week he's part of an online event at 14 Henrietta Street, in conversation with piper Néillidh Mulligan, about the role of music in the tenements of Henrietta Street.
Speaking of music, those of you in attendance at Fórsa's online delegate conference last November may remember a performance by Republic of Sound, recorded at Goldenbridge cemetery. It's just one of the huge range of art projects developed by arts organisation Common Ground, whose staff are members of our State Enterprises No.1 branch. Here it is again, to give you a flavour of the place.
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