DAA employees can receive a lump sum in tiered lines

More than 1,000 airport workers won their claim in the labor court for wage supplements that were withheld from them in 2020 due to the pandemic.

The unions had claimed that the company was contractually bound to make the payments, that collective bargaining agreements had resulted in significant savings for DAA, and that the company had received financial support from the government.

A DAA spokesman said it was “currently assessing the implications of the recommendation and, where appropriate, seeking clarification from the labor court before working further with our employees and their representatives.”

DAA claimed the payment freeze was “reasonable and proportionate” and said it was still making losses despite improved passenger traffic. According to a recommendation published by the court, the DAA promised at the beginning of the pandemic that there would be no redundancies or permanent changes to core conditions, thereby limiting its options for cost containment.

Nevertheless, according to the court, the company only agreed to the collective bargaining structure applicable to employees after it had “unilaterally imposed” the wage increase freeze. The court said it had taken into account “the exceptional circumstances prevailing at the time” and recommended that the outstanding supplements be paid immediately and that each of the affected workers be paid a lump sum equal to six months’ supplement payments.

Digiweb unraveled the loss to a profit of 1.2 million euros

Serial tech entrepreneur Colm Piercy’s Digiweb Group, a telecoms group that provides business and consumer broadband, has bounced from a loss to profitability.

Digiweb Holdings reported a pre-tax profit of nearly €1.2 million for fiscal 2020, up from a €1.1 million loss in 2019. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) rose significantly, doubling from almost €2.15 million to over €4.28 million.

The company employed a monthly average of 141 people in 2020.

Piercy is known for its ventures in data centers and technology. He also co-founded Clyde Real Estate with Sean Gallagher.

Tortilla is just the tip of Blanco’s success

It’s a long way from Mexico to Tipperary, but Clonmel apparently knows how to make a fine tortilla chip. Blanco Niño, a Clonmel-based manufacturer of premium tortilla chips, was awarded Gold in the Savory Snacking category at the 2022 Free From Food Awards.

Blanco Niños Ancient Grain Blue Corn Tortilla Chips with Roasted Amaranth impressed the jury. “An intriguing and unique look – great deep purple colour. Thin with great crunch, very tasty and not too salty,” was the verdict.