Staff at Shannon Cork and Dublin airport are set to be balloted in the New Year on a plan to axe up to 450 jobs at the three airport authorities.
It comes after a multimillion-euro pay cut plan was agreed between unions and management at the DAA which governs the three airports.
This deal worth 38 million euro involves the cutting of 300 full time staff from Shannon Cork and Dublin airports – on a voluntary basis. along with the non replacement of about another 150 contract positions.
It will also see the introduction of new work practices and reforms for the remaining staff with pay cuts of up to 2 percent and a pay freeze for two years.
The Dublin Airport Authority says the measures are necessary as it is facing a €70 million earnings shortfall due to significant falls in passenger traffic and commercial income.
The deal was agreed at Labour Relations Commission following months of talks with officials from the trade unions Siptu, Mandate and Impact.
Lay-offs of contracted staff have already begun, and the remaining workers will vote on the deal early in the New Year.