Cowen: Aircraft maintenance dispute can be solved

An industrial dispute threatening hundreds of aircraft maintenance jobs is surmountable, the Taoiseach said today.

Brian Cowen’s intervention came as around 1,200 posts were threatened at SR Technics’ Dublin airport centre.

A total of 21 aircraft handlers from union SIPTU rejected new productivity arrangements.

Mr Cowen said: “I believe that if common sense prevails in this situation we can sort it.

“I would ask employees that they work with their representatives and management over the next 24 hours to sort it out.”

SIPTU president Jack O’Connor has said he is confident a deal can be struck safeguarding positions.

The majority of craft workers at the firm have voted to accept the new work practices, which managers said was essential for survival.

Mr O’Connor said the union had offered to meet employers to resolve differences.

SR Technics management had warned staff that the company could go out of business if employees did not accept the new work practices by yesterday.

Earlier this week Aer Lingus threatened to withdraw from a key maintenance contract if final documentation is not signed by tomorrow.

Earlier this year, SRT – formerly known as TEAM Aer Lingus – lost three of its four Aer Lingus maintenance contracts.

It recently announced that it would not be paying staff the next phase of their national pay agreement, partly due to the loss of the Aer Lingus contracts.