Aer Rianta union demands halt to break-up plan

AER RIANTA union representatives are to demand an immediate halt to preparations to break up the company when they meet with Department of Transport officials tomorrow.

SIPTU senior aviation official Dermot O'Loughlan said nothing less than a complete halt to the break-up process would satisfy Aer Rianta's 10,000 workers, who voted overwhelmingly for industrial action at the weekend. "We really need to achieve a halt to this entire process. It flies in the face of realistic consultation which this is supposed to be to be proceeding with the appointment of board members for the three companies. If this is to be fair consultation, then the least our members expect is that the process comes to a halt," he said.

SIPTU is also disappointed that the meeting will not be attended by Transport Minister Séamus Brennan and will instead be chaired by department general secretary Julie O'Neill. Angry workers believe the department and the Government have no real intention to meet with staff and address concerns over the impact of the break-up on jobs.