"Unions to ballot for strike action over Irish airport reform"

Friday, August 22, 2003

Unions to ballot for strike action over airport reform
The Irish Independent


WORKERS at the three State-owned airports are preparing for
furtherdisruption to oppose Government proposals to break up Aer Rianta into
three stand-alone airport management companies.

Trade unions, who last month closed Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports
briefly,yesterday announced a ballot for industrial action.

The voting will begin next week and a mandate for strike action is expected
when the results are confirmed on September 6. An alliance of four unions -
Siptu, Impact, TEEUand AEEU - is opposing measures to reform the airport
company.

In recent weeks there has been an informal alliance between some senior
managementfigures and trade union organisers.

The lack of assurances on job security and pay increases after more than a
year sparkedthe union move to seek a ballot of members.

The unions have also opposed moves to have an independently-owned rival
terminal built at Dublin airport to compete directly with Aer Rianta's
facilities.

Already Transport Minister Seamus Brennan appears to be backing away from
his pledgeto have one-quarter of bus services in Dublin operated by private
rivals to Dublin Bus by early next year.

The unions now want to force a rethink on his proposed second terminal.
Further disruption of air services may force Mr Brennan to reassess his
desire to have twodirectly competing terminals in the one airport complex.

This is such a novel concept that it appears not to have been adopted
successfully in anyother part of the world.


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