Brennan rejects union calls to review Aer Rianta plan

Transport Minister Seamus Brennan has been accused of giving Aer Rianta workers "a slap in the face", in a letter they received yesterday.

Unions were awaiting a response from the Minister since they requested a review of the company break-up.

The letter says that the Government has made its decision regarding the company's restructure and it is the Transport department's duty to implement it.

They say the minister rejected calls by the unions for third-party intervention and confirmed that he also rejects partial or full privitisation, also saying that this could not be implemented without legislation.

The letter continued to say that the minister sees no way in which the restructure would affect employees tenure, terms, or conditions of employment, and that he is willing to facilitate worker representation on the new boards.

In response, the TEEU said the minister has failed to address the key issues, especially the lack of a business plan to justify the company break-up.

Regional Secretary Arthur Hall said the minister has not committed to maintaining any existing bargaining structures, and has not addressed concerns about a second terminal at Dublin Airport, or the Shannon stopover.