Talks aimed at resolving a dispute between management and staff at aircraft maintenance firm Lufthansa Technik Airmotive were adjourned until Monday at the Labour Relations Commission today.
Trade unions Unite, TEEU and Siptu, which represent the company’s 456 staff, met with management to discuss proposed changes to work practices at the company’s Rathcoole plant in Co Meath.
The company has warned that staff could be put on protective notice unless unions agree to implement the changes.
It says the measures are necessary to maintain competitiveness and put the company in a position to secure future investment.
Management says the plant needed to become more cost-effective ahead of a planned multi-million euro investment so it can begin work on a new engine.
If the investment does not go ahead layoffs are likely, it has warned.
But Siptu claimed the company was trying to take advantage of the recent jobs losses at SR Technics to impose its own changes.
Branch organiser Theresa Hannick said the company put a proposal to the unions during the today’s talks which it was considering
“At the moment we’re still in the process and we’re doing some work and there’ll be a further meeting on Monday,” she said.
Both sides are due to resume talks at the LRC on Monday.
