GALWAY AIRPORT faces strike action by staff during the Halloween holiday period, following a vote by Siptu trade union members for industrial action.
Some 45 ground crew, fire crew and terminal operations staff have decided to take action in response to a management decision to introduce cuts in working hours and pay from November 2nd.
"Management's decision to impose these changes leaves us with no option but to vote for strike action," Siptu official Paul Garvan said yesterday.
"This decision by airport management stands in stark contrast to the recent agreement between Siptu and Knock airport for an agreed series of cost cutting measures."
Strike notice was served last week and will come into effect any time after midnight on October 29th unless there is a resolution to the issues.
Siptu said it would inform the airport's only regular customer, Aer Arann. which this week confirmed that it was cutting its own workforce.
Galway airport managing director Joe Walsh said that the industrial action threat was "regrettable", but business would run "as normal" for customers.
The airport had endeavoured to maintain jobs in all its discussions to date with staff and union representatives, he said.
