Minister hopes to head off airport strike

Transport Minister Seamus Brennan is to meet a group of unions representing airport workers in the hope of staving off the threat of industrial action at Aer Rianta.

SIPTU is still refusing to enter into further talks with the minister but the other unions are considering a letter sent to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in which Minister Brennan reassured employees that their jobs will be secure if the planned break-up goes ahead.

However, they say they want to make sure that any promises made by Mr Brennan are bound by law. IMPACT spokesperson Michael Landers says the minister’s letter should be carefully considered.

The Labour party spokesperson on transport, Roisín Shortall, is appealing to union leaders to think carefully about how to highlight their concerns.

She urged them not to take industrial action, but to consider other forms of protest. She has also criticised the Transport Minister for "failing to be open and honest" with the workers.