An industrial dispute at an airline catering firm which was at the centre of travel chaos at Heathrow Airport, could be about to affect Dublin, it emerged tonight.
The Gate Gourmet dispute, which hit British Airways at Heathrow airport could come to Dublin
Siptu, Ireland 's largest union, said a threat by management at Gate Gourmet's Irish operation to renege on an agreement with its employees could disrupt British Airways flights into and out of Dublin.
"Gate Gourmet's management has told union members that the company cannot afford to pay the terms of Sustaining Progress and has threatened to introduce new terms of employment without agreement," the union's Civil Aviation Branch official Pat Ward said.
"While we have tried to resolve these issues through the normal industrial relations channels, management has done everything in its power to frustrate the process. They appear to be following similar tactics to their UK counterparts."
Thousands of BA passengers were stranded at Heathrow and airports abroad following the decision of some BA staff to come out on strike in support of 670 Gate Gourmet workers sacked last week.
Mr Ward said a similar situation could occur at Dublin Airport if the situation is not resolved. "Following an overwhelming ballot in favour of industrial action, our members now have official sanction to take industrial action - up to and including strike - if management attempt to force through change without agreement," he said.
Gate Gourmet services a total of 16 airlines, including Air Canada, Air France, American Airlines, BA and British Midland.
PA