This article is from page 13 of the 2006-12-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
OVER 100 non-national workers at Shannon airport could hold the key in the upcoming union ballot to decide upon the airport’s restructuring programme.
The 100 or so temporary workers mainly from eastern Europe are expected to vote on the deal next month.
It is understood that the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) made a late change to the offer to unions at Shannon by including temporary workers in the €10,000 loyalty payment for those who remain.
At a series of meetings at the airport last week, workers were briefed on the deal and SIPTU is making no recommendation for acceptance or rejection.
It is understood that there are strong divisions among airport staff despite the apparently generous payouts and this puts the sizeable eastern European airport workforce in a pivotal position.
Shannon councillor Patricia McCarthy (Ind) said yesterday that she had certain reservations over the proposed deal, especially with the scale of job losses being talked about.
Workers at Shannon will consider the €35 million ‘survival plan’ that involves the voluntary redundancy of 200 workers over the Christmas period.
As part of the deal, the DAA is seeking cost cuts of €10 million per annum. Along with the voluntary redundancies, they are seeking increased flexibility in work practices and rosters across all divisions and is looking to exit completely from the airport’s existing catering operations through outsourcing.
As part of the redundancy deal, long-serving staff will receive lumpsum packages of over €100,000 and can also avail of pensions at 55.
There is also a €3 million fund set aside for the 300 staff who stay with the company with each worker receiving €10,000 for increased flexibility. No part of the airport security operation will be outsourced and the agreement also requires francishees and outsourcing companies to recognise unions.
At the start of October, the matter was referred to the Labour Relations Commission and a press black-out was imposed on the talks.
A spokeswoman for the SAA this week declined to comment on the fresh proposals but said the purpose was to make Shannon viable without its military traffic.
“The operational costs per passenger are three times that of Dublin airport and it is absolutely essential that any restructuring plan strips away €9 million to €10 million a year in savings,” she said.