Transport unions set to clash with Government

INTENSE negotiations on a new national pay deal started yesterday, with transport unions on course for a head-on collision with the Government over the break up of Aer Rianta and CIÉ.

As talks began, SIPTU's Aer Rianta workers threw down the gauntlet, demanding that union president Jack O'Connor seeks further written assurances from the Government.

Aer Rianta branch president Barry Nevin said the branch had given Mr O'Connor 48 hours "to return with information and assurances in writing from the Taoiseach".

Spokesmen for the Government have confirmed that legislation to enable the break up will be published and passed before the Dáil's summer recess next month.

That position places the Government on a direct collision course with Aer Rianta unions, said SIPTU's civil aviation branch secretary Dermot O'Loughlin.

Mr O'Connor was anxious last night to play down talk of strike.

"I don't believe there is an imminent threat of industrial action at the airport. The matter is very much in the hands of the Government at this stage," he said.

Further complicating matters the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) last night pulled out of talks on the break up of CIÉ saying promised commitments have not been forthcoming.

SIPTU workers at CIE are now also expected to withdraw from talks opening up a renewed possibility of joint industrial action.

Aer Rianta worker director Peter Dunne said no formal plan had yet been advanced but refused to rule out the prospect of joint strike action.

"We don't want to go that way but if you have nothing else to make your point, what do you do? It has been mooted before and it's not beyond us to engage in that," he said.