Unions opposed to the Government's plans to break up Aer Rianta are planning a shutdown of Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports to coincide with the start of Ireland's EU Presidency next January
The five unions representing Aer Rianta workers meet today to plan a campaign of industrial action in opposition to the plans put forward by the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan.
This is likely to include smaller-scale work stoppages in the run-up to Christmas and a major escalation designed to embarrass the Government when it takes over the EU Presidency in the New Year.
However, the Minister intends to press ahead with his proposals to create three separate airport authorities, sources indicated last night.
The Cabinet last week approved the head of a bill to implement these proposals, The Irish Times understands.
Air passengers face further industrial relations turbulence over the coming week with the threat of two one-day strikes by most Aer Lingus cabin crew over the bank holiday weekend.
The action by over 1,000 Impact members is expected to cause some disruption in services, although the airline says it plans to continue operating. Intending passengers have been advised to book and travel as normal.
The stoppage could still be averted by the intervention of the Labour Court, which held a special hearing into the dispute yesterday.
Impact members have been operating a work-to-rule since the start of September. Although the airline says it has had "virtually no effect," some flights have been cancelled and others delayed.
The company is refusing to pay cabin crew an outstanding 4 per cent increase under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness unless they offer the greater productivity it is seeking.
The airline wants staff to sell food and drinks on board, to make quicker aircraft "turnarounds" and to start work earlier in return for the PPF payment.
In the Aer Rianta dispute, one union leader yesterday predicted a series of "minor" work stoppages in the run-up to Christmas, after which the industrial action would be "stepped up".
"We'll save most of our energies until the new year, because that's when the EU Presidency kicks in and we can cause most embarrassment to the Government," said Mr Arthur Hall of the Technical, Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU).
Membership of the five unions includes landing, takeoff and fire staff, so any strike would inevitably lead to the closure of affected airports.
Mr Mick Halpenny of SIPTU, the largest union in Aer Rianta, said the Minister's stance had "narrowed our options considerably".
Last night, a spokesman for the Minister said he would address any issues workers had about their employment terms.
