The Taoiseach is unlikely to intervene to prevent the two-hour SIPTU work stoppage at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports next week, his spokeswoman has confirmed. Julie-Anne Barnes reports.
The spokeswoman said Mr Ahern is keeping a close eye on developments and is in contact with all parties, but it is the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, who will write a comprehensive response to SIPTU in due course.
Mr Peter Dunne, Aer Rianta worker director, said trust in Mr Brennan has broken down and their dispute is still focused on "the overriding issue" of the break-up of Aer Rianta.
"We are very angry," said Mr Dunne. "The Minister still hasn't produced a business plan...and that is what caused the Aer Rianta workers concerns."
Mr Dunne had called on the Taoiseach to intervene and suspend the proposed break-up until a proper business plan has been published but he now believes next week's protest will go ahead as planned.
A two-hour stoppage by SIPTU workers is planned between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. at the three airports next Thursday as EU Ministers arrive for a two-day Justice and Home Affairs meeting. SIPTU represents more than 70 per cent of Aer Rianta employees and its national industrial secretary, Mr Michael Halpenny, says the stoppages may be escalated on a fortnightly basis.
Mr Dunne's comments come after Mr Ahern described the planned industrial action as unnecessary. Speaking in Strasbourg yesterday, Mr Ahern described the planned protest as an imported bad habit which occurred whenever there was a presidency.
However, Mr Brennan's spokesman said the Minister is confident he can give assurances to SIPTU members on nine or 10 issues which have been raised including job security, terms and conditions, and compulsory redundancies.