LRC calls for talks to prevent strike action at airports

THE LABOUR Relations Commission last night called on trade union Siptu, Aer Lingus and the Dublin Airport Authority to consider talks to prevent industrial action at the State’s main airports.

The commission has asked Siptu to withdraw its threat of strike action for Monday, before proposed talks to resolve a row over pensions could take place tomorrow.

The LRC also asked that Aer Lingus withdraw its threat to sue the union and that the airport authority withdraw its threat of an injunction, before the talks could take place.

A document of some 30 pages with proposals from the Labour Relations Commission was given to the parties last night.

Siptu said it would consider the proposals at a meeting today.

Earlier, Siptu said industrial action would go ahead from Monday after employers failed “to put forward any meaningful proposal to resolve the dispute” over underfunded pension schemes.

There was “anger and dismay” among members at “the threats, legal and otherwise” by employers, Siptu sector organiser Dermot O’Loughlin said.

The union said it was committed to reasonable efforts to resolve the issue.

Yesterday Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar had also called on unions and employers to renew efforts to avoid industrial action.

He urged all parties to use the State’s dispute resolution machinery to resolve the row.

He said “a renewed focus” was needed to avoid industrial action which would cause huge inconvenience to the travelling public.

The LRC has urged the parties to withdraw all threats ahead of talks, but last night it was not clear whether this would happen. Siptu’s proposed series of rolling two-hour work stoppages at Aer Lingus and the DAA could close Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports.

The DAA was to seek a High Court injunction tomorrow in a bid to prevent the action. Aer Lingus warned it would sue Siptu for damages if action went ahead.