Unions told of business plans

The first action of the proposed new airport authorities will be to draw up their own business plans, the Department of Transport has told unions at Aer Rianta.

Members of the Aer Rianta trades unions met the Minister for Transport Mr Brennan in Sligo yesterday, during which the Minister reiterated his position on the break up of the company.

Mr Brennan met the union representatives after they picketed the gathering of Fianna Fail members in the town. It followed what was described as "an acrimonious meeting" between the unions and Department of Transport officials on Tuesday evening.

Union representatives have questioned the economic thinking behind the break up of the company, in the absence of business plans for the new, separate airport authorities.

However, the unions were told while their jobs would be guaranteed, it would be the responsibility of the new airport authorities to devise their own business plans. It wouldbe the first thing the Minister would require them to do, according to a Department spokesman.

The unions and the Department are to meet again in about 10 daysto see if further progress can be achieved.

Meanwhile, Department of Transport officials met members of the CIE group of unions yesterday to discuss plans for the break up of that company.

The talks were described as"very positive" by National Bus and Railworkers' Union general secretary Mr Liam Tobin. He said there was a clear commitment to develop a common approach.