Aer Lingus management insisted today they had no reason to apologise for a controversial document that outlined ways to convince employees to take up the airline's redundancy package last year.
Aer Lingus chairman John Sharman today told the Oireachtas Transport Committee the timing of the leak of the document was "despicable" because management was on the verge of agreement with unions on future work practices and a new chief executive officer was starting work in ten days.
Aer Lingus chairman John Sharman
"I find the timing of the release of the document interesting," he said. "The release of it is despicable. The only intent was to create anxiety, to create a feeling that Aer Lingus as a company had a policy of intimidating staff.
"Whoever leaked that document I'd like to meet him or her."
The memo suggested that workers with families should be given antisocial shifts and supervisors get a 'tap on the shoulder' to say they had no future with the company.
The memo was condemned by Siptu and several Government ministers.
Siptu's national industrial secretary, Michael Halpenny, told the committee there was a culture of harassment and intimidation within the company but that many workers felt they were better taking redundancy rather than pursuing constructive dismissal cases.
"Many supervisors were too ashamed and demoralised that they didn't even tell their partners," he said. "I have never seen a document like that in all my years as a paid official and shop steward."
Mr Sharman replied that senior management at Aer Lingus "do not and have never condoned bullying or harassment".
"As the person with ultimate responsibility for the management and running of this airline, neither I nor my senior management team, would ever condone such tactics to be employed at any level," he said.
"I would reiterate again that this document was not a plan of action as has been misreported and while I have regrets, I do not see or have any basis for which to apologise."