Air traffic dispute set to escalate

THE dispute by air traffic controllers, which closed Cork, Dublin and Shannon airports yesterday afternoon, looks set to escalate as the stand-off between the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and IMPACT trade union worsened last night.

Yesterday’s industrial action affected 20,000 passengers. IMPACT’s national executive will meet today, after which the dispute could be escalated.

Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has said the Government may have to enforce “no-strike clauses” for essential services if industrial action causes disruption on a national level.

An IAA spokesperson, who placed 14 controllers on suspension without pay for refusing to adopt new work practices, said further suspensions could be avoided if the union withdrew a 6% pay claim. The union said the strike was called because the IAA had suspended air traffic controllers without pay and further disruption can be avoided if it lifts the suspensions.

More than 100 air traffic control officers attended a meeting in Shannon yesterday afternoon. IMPACT assistant general secretary Michael Landers warned of further disruption.

“If people are put back on the payroll there will be no more work stoppages on our part and the matter will go to the Labour Court to be resolved there,” he said.

Lilian Cassin, IAA corporate communications manager, said this dispute was not about new technology and new work practices – it was a pay demand.

IMPACT, however, said the dispute was not about a pay rise at all.