British Midland strikers have voted by 118 to one to accept Labour Court proposals to end their four-week strike. The proposals increase the lump sum payable to staff transferring to Gatwick Handling International from £1,019 per year of service to £1,339.
However, this will barely compensate the strikers for wages lost while on the picket line.
According to British Midland's personnel director, Ms Jill Nealon, the extra cash being paid to the 150 Dublin ground crew will not affect the deal already concluded with the GMB union in Britain, which represents 1,500 staff transferring to Gatwick Handling. She said the Irish figure took into account differences in exchange rates, tax rates and the different profile of the workforce.
The transfer of the British Midland ground handling operation to Gatwick Handling was due to take place on February 28th, but was delayed by the Dublin strike. Ms Nealon said the sale would be concluded shortly and that Gatwick Handling representatives would be visiting Dublin to allay any fears staff might have.
Earlier yesterday about 500 airport workers held a march to show solidarity with the British Midland strikers. The airport was closed for an hour. A SIPTU Aer Lingus worker director, Mr Willie Clarke, said the protest was not intended to be disruptive. "A lot of people came on their day off or lunch break to take part.
"It's very hard to sit back and watch the British Midland workers left out on the side of the road and do nothing." He said people were particularly incensed at the way British Midland had brought in strikebreakers to defeat the pickets and the amount of help Aer Rianta had given the company in clearing British staff to work in secure areas.
"I have been working out here for 30 years and if I need a ramp pass I have to wait three days to get it. There are serious health and safety questions to be answered about letting people unfamiliar with the work and the area in without proper training and orientation."
ATGWU shop steward Mr Pat Gorry said that while his members were returning to work they might still take legal action against Aer Rianta on the basis that the co-operation it gave British Midland prolonged the dispute unnecessarily. The ATGWU had planned to picket Aer Rianta but the action has been called off.
The ATGWU's Republic of Ireland secretary, Mr Ben Kearney, welcomed the result of the ballot and said members would return to work tomorrow.