Air traffic control strike 'likely to escalate'
Strike action that will ground more than 150 flights in and out of the country today is set to escalate, aviation authorities warned.
Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports are expected to shut down for up to four hours despite airport chiefs and airlines calling for the stoppage by air traffic controllers to be called off.
Aer Lingus said 64 services in and out of Ireland have been cancelled although most of the carrier’s long-haul and transatlantic flights survived the disruption.
Ryanair, which is cancelling 48 flights affecting 6,000 passengers, called on military air traffic controllers to step in and keep the airports open.
Liam Kavanagh, human resources director at the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), confirmed the action will spark massive disruption, which was likely to be stepped up.
“Air traffic controllers, through their union Impact, have outlined the actions they intend to take today – stoppages in all airports,” he said.
“These actions are likely to escalate.”
Mr Kavanagh said airports could not operate in an environment of uncertainty and he called on controllers to resume normal working practices, to drop a pay rise claim and to pay a contribution towards their pension.
“They are among the best-paid public servants in the country,” he said.
“On average, they cost the Irish Aviation Authority €160,000 each. Earnings for the top 10% of controllers in the country last year ranged from €170,000 to €230,000.
“They work 182 days a year, they have 137 rest days, and 36 days holidays – in addition to 10 public holidays.
“We want them to be reasonable and suspend discussion of this 6% increase. We have told them we will be happy to review it in 2012.”
Mr Kavanagh insisted air traffic controllers should contribute to their pensions in line with the rest of the public sector.
“We have not cut salaries. We are not cutting jobs,” he added.
Trade union Impact blamed the Irish Aviation Authority for the stoppage.
The IAA suspended 12 air traffic controllers – seven in Dublin and five in Cork - for refusing to co-operate with new working arrangements.
The union said the revised practices, which involve new technology, would mean more work.
A spokesman for the trade union said the disruption could be averted if the suspensions were lifted.
“It’s deeply regrettable and nobody wants to subject anyone to any unnecessary delays but this precipitous action taken by the IAA leaves them with little choice.”
Impact said there was a dispute over pay increases due to them but that was a separate issue.
Passengers have been asked to check cancellations online and contact airlines for refunds or to rebook.
Dublin and Shannon airports will be shut between 2pm and 6pm while Cork Airport will be hit from 4pm to 6pm.
Fine Gael also demanded the strike be called off, claiming the tourism industry would be badly hit.
Olivia Mitchell, tourism spokeswoman, said: “I call on the air traffic controllers to call off this protest, which can only further damage the ailing tourism industry and Ireland’s reputation as a country open for business.
“There is no appetite in the current crisis for people in secure jobs to jeopardise those of others.”
Ms Mitchell questioned whether Transport Minister Noel Dempsey and Defence Minister Willie O’Dea had examined the possibility of using military air traffic controllers from the Air Corps to man equipment during the strike.
Impact accused aviation chiefs of dishonesty by arguing that controllers should abide by the new work practices in advance of hearings with industrial relations trouble-shooters at the Labour Court.
It said members have voted by a 99% majority not to co-operate until agreement had been reached.
