Staff vote to strike against airport cuts

STAFF at Shannon Airport last night voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action in a bid to head off more than 200 planned job losses.

The ballot, described as precautionary by SIPTU officials, came after management at the State-owned airport considered plans to axe half of Shannon’s 550 jobs by outsourcing catering and cleaning jobs.

Last night’s endorsement of strike action by a majority of 90% is a clear indication that unions are prepared to fight to the end to force the Government to maintain a commitment of “jobs for life” that was secured in advance of the break-up of Aer Rianta.

The development also comes as the Government prepares to sanction a three-pronged aviation plan focusing on the part-privatisation of Aer Lingus, a new second terminal for Dublin Airport and an anticipated phasing out of the Shannon stopover.

The aviation package, which was discussed at Cabinet this week, will not be brought for a final decision until after Easter as backroom negotiations with unions and between the coalition parties continues.

Although Tánaiste Mary Harney this week sought to play down any disagreement over aviation issues, the tension between Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats was reiterated last night as PD transport spokesman Tom Morrissey repeated the party’s preference for an independent terminal.

Senator Morrissey said that the best interests of consumers would only be served if Dublin’s second terminal was not run by the Dublin Airport Authority.

“Adding to a monopoly is against the consumers’ interests. Having broken the former Aer Rianta into three separate airports, which can develop and compete independently, it would be a step backwards not to continue to foster competition at Dublin Airport,” he said.

Meanwhile Transport Minister Martin Cullen, under pressure in the Dáil from the opposition yesterday, declined to give further details on the Government’s plans but insisted an end to the Shannon stopover would be beneficial to all.

“Any change in Ireland’s US arrangements will open up new destinations in the US for Aer Lingus and this presents new opportunities for Shannon as well,” he said.