Progress in air traffic dispute

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and air traffic controllers' union Impact today agreed a full resumption of normal working…

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and air traffic controllers' union Impact today agreed a full resumption of normal working by air traffic controllers, after almost seven hours in the Labour Court.

The IAA said all air traffic controllers suspended had been "restored to the pay roll", and that there would be "no industrial action of any kind".

The Authority added that Impact had withdrawn its objection to participation in the project work giving rise to this dispute.

The invitation by the Labour Court to attend today's talks followed behind-the-scenes intervention by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) and the employers’ group Ibec.

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The travel plans of 20,000 people were disrupted on Wednesday by the dispute between Impact and the IAA, with more than a hundred flights from Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports cancelled.

A total of 14 air traffic controllers had been suspended by the Irish Aviation Authority for refusing to co-operate with new technology.

The authority said the controllers's stance forms part of a campaign to secure a pay increase and to avoid having to make a contribution to their pensions.

Impact said air traffic controllers were not taking industrial action in pursuit of a pay claim, or over new technologies, but solely because management had suspended staff.