Union strike vote threatens Dublin airport chaos

Flights out of Dublin Airport could face disruption within two weeks after trade unions voted for industrial action tonight.

Around 250 members of SIPTU, the country’s largest union, mandated their leaders to prepare a campaign of strike action to disrupt Ireland’s presidency of the EU.

The threatened industrial action is the latest move in a campaign of resistance to Government plans to break up the state-owned operator of Ireland’s three main airports, Aer Rianta.

The unions have reacted furiously to Transport Minister Seamus Brennan’s intention to split the body into three separate companies at Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports.

Aer Rianta worker director Peter Dunne said the proposed action could disrupt foreign dignitaries arriving for a major EU meeting on January 22 and 23.

The dispute is the latest threat to paralyse the country’s transport system after bus and rail unions threatened industrial action over plans to break up the state-owned bus and rail operator, CIÉ.

The threat of industrial action at airports came after the unions expressed disappointment at the outcome of talks with Transport Department officials earlier this week regarding pay and conditions for staff after the proposed break-up of the company.

The unions said they could not understand why the Government wished to establish Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports as independent, competing entities.

SIPTU leaders said the plan made no economic sense and would leave Cork and Shannon airports struggling to survive.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern earlier warned the unions against taking industrial action in a bid to embarrass the Government during the EU presidency.

Mr Ahern said the only concern of the government regarding Aer Rianta, Aer Lingus and other state companies was their long-term sustainability.

He said the industrial action would not damage the presidency, but could harm the future of the company and its staff.