SIPTU to Decide on Action at Dublin Airport

January 19, 2004

SIPTU to Decide on Action at Dublin Airport
Irish Times, Ireland
         
        
  SIPTU is to seek further information today from the
Department of Transport before deciding whether to
call off a planned two-hour stoppage at Dublin Airport
on Thursday. Chris Dooley, Industry and Employment
Correspondent reports 
 

If the strike, due to begin at 8 a.m., goes ahead, bus
services in Dublin also face disruption later on
Thursday morning.

Union representatives at Aer Rianta met for almost
five hours yesterday to consider a letter by the
Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, aimed at averting
the strike.

The stoppage was called to disrupt flights carrying EU
justice ministers and officials to a meeting in Dublin
on Thursday. It was learned last night, however, that
most of those attending plan to arrive tomorrow night.

In the letter to union leaders yesterday, Mr Brennan
sought to firm up assurances about the job security
and pay and conditions of Aer Rianta staff after the
airports company is broken up. He denied he had
offered workers "jobs for life", as suggested in some
sections of the media, but he repeated there would be
no compulsory redundancies.

"I can confirm my willingness to enact in legislation
arrangements to ensure that existing Aer Rianta
employees will not be brought to lesser terms and
conditions of employment than they now enjoy."

One senior trade union source described the letter as
conciliatory and said it should be enough to result in
Thursday's action being called off.

However, after its meeting, attended by SIPTU
president Mr Jack O'Connor, the union said it would
seek further clarification from the Department.
SIPTU's Dublin Bus branch has called a two-hour
meeting on Thursday which may result in disruption of
services. But this may be called off if the Aer Rianta
stoppage is cancelled.

 

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