Future of SR Technics uncertain after union vote

The future of aircraft maintenance company SR Technics is uncertain this evening after a small group of workers at the firm voted to reject a cost-cutting plan.

Some 200 staff at company, who are members of the Unite trade union, voted to accept the plan but 21 key workers, who are members of Siptu, rejected it.

The company has said the result of the ballot has left its operations in doubt. In a statement it said it was "very disappointed to confirm that we have not reached agreement with all the unions on the new working arrangements necessary for us to enter into a new ten–year contract for line maintenance services with Aer Lingus .

"One group of 21 staff represented by Siptu have rejected the new working arrangemernts. Regrettably this places us in a position that we cannot sign this contract with Aer Lingus. This development will be reviewed with our parent company and the other stakeholders involved".

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 were outlined to employees this morning before a vote was taken.

In brief statement this evening the Unite trade union said it had voted to accept the proposals and had told management of the decision.

SR Technics says new working arrangements are vital to allow it sign up to a key maintenance deal with Aer Lingus. The company wants to introduce 12-hour shifts for line maintenance staff and an 11-hour night shift, as well as other cost-cutting measures.

Siptu tonight offered to meet the company to resolve what it said was “the one outstanding issue over workplace change at the company involving 21 aircraft handlers”.

The handlers are understood to have rejected a productivity proposal to refuel aircraft that was introduced at a late stage in the current restructuring programme.

Siptu branch organiser Pat Ward said: “The proposed changes regarding aircraft handlers were only put to us on Wednesday evening at the Labour Relations Commission without any prior notice.

“The men involved had less than 48 hours to consider the proposals, as opposed to several weeks of intensive negotiations for every other group.”