ABOUT 200 staff at aircraft maintenance company SR Technics will vote on proposed cost-cutting measures today in a decision that may determine its future.
The company and unions agreed a set of proposals at 3am yesterday following more than 13 hours of talks brokered by Kevin Foley from the Labour Relations Commission. The proposals will be outlined to employees this morning before a vote is taken.
SR Technics says new working arrangements are vital to allow it sign up to a key maintenance deal with Aer Lingus.
The company is looking to introduce 12-hour shifts for line maintenance staff and an 11-hour night shift, as well as other cost-cutting measures.
A spokeswoman for SR Technics said if the proposals are not accepted by staff the firm will have to withdraw from the Aer Lingus contract with the result that "the future will be very uncertain for SR Technics". The company employs 1,200 at Dublin airport but less than 200 will be involved in the maintenance contract.
Aer Lingus has told SR Technics that if it is not in a position to sign up for the 10-year contract from June 1st, 2008, the airline would have to seek alternative sources for maintenance services.
William Quigley of the SR Technics craft group of unions, said staff were being put in a "dire situation".
"You are asking employees to accept an agreement and saying that if they don't 1,200 people will lose their jobs."
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