More disruption for airports threatened

Air traffic controllers tonight threatened to repeat the massive disruption which grounded more than 150 flights in and out of Ireland.

Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports shut down for up to four hours causing travel misery for thousands of passengers who faced cancelled flights.

Trade union Impact blamed the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) for the mass stoppage after it suspended 14 air traffic controllers for refusing to accept new working arrangements.

The union warned bosses to reinstate the workers or face further stoppages, despite a plea from Taoiseach Brian Cowen to resolve the bitter row.

A union spokesman said: “In the event that those suspended workers are not immediately reinstated and there are further suspensions, then the likelihood is that there will be further work stoppages.

“Again, the IAA have it within their reach to prevent any work stoppages by restoring them to the pay roll.”

Prior to the strike kicking off at 2pm the IAA urged the controllers to re-think their plans, resume normal working practices, drop a pay rise claim and pay a contribution towards their pension.

The body said it would withdraw the suspensions if the controllers returned to their duties.

Impact said it had been willing to stand down the stoppage and re-enter talks with industrial relations trouble-shooters at the Labour Court to resolve the row.

Mr Cowen urged both sides to use the Labour Court, adding it wasn’t fair passengers had to suffer.

“It’s important, given the inconvenience now visited upon the public travelling through our airports, to avoid a further escalation,” the Taoiseach said.

“It is incumbent on both sides to use the industrial relations machinery available to resolve the problem.”

Ryanair axed 48 flights affecting 6,000 passengers while Aer Lingus cancelled 64, though most of its transatlantic services remained untouched.

Business chiefs and politicians rounded on the controllers claiming they were holding the country to ransom and ruining its image abroad.

Transport Minister Noel Dempsey branded the walkout unacceptable.

“I hope that both sides in this dispute can recognise the imperative of reaching an agreement,” he said.

Liam Kavanagh, IAA human resources director, said it regretted the disruption but controllers were among the best paid public servants in the country.

“They work 182 days a year, they have 137 rest days, and 36 days holidays – in addition to 10 public holidays,” he said.

Impact said the strike was not about pay or being forced to use new technology under new working arrangements, but about the suspensions.

IAA had suspended 12 air traffic controllers – seven in Dublin and five in Cork - for refusing to co-operate with new working arrangements, followed by another two today.

A meeting of Impact’s national executive council will be held tomorrow to discuss the way forward.

Aer Lingus said it was disappointed its customers faced disruption, while Ryanair demanded Mr Dempsey intervene.

Enda Corneille, Aer Lingus corporate affairs director, said: “It is regrettable that so many of our customers’ travel plans have been disrupted today and effectively the country’s airports brought to a standstill.

Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara added: “It is unacceptable that the minister and the Department do nothing, while a tiny group of overpaid and under-worked civil servants shut Ireland’s national airports and hold the travelling public to ransom.”

Business chiefs hit out at the strike plans, claiming it was unjustified and would damage the country’s image.

Brendan McGinty, director of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation, said: “Air traffic controllers are highly paid and enjoy benefits far beyond those of most workers.

“There is no justification for industrial action and it is outrageous that the public is being held to ransom in this way.”