Media

21 January 2010: The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is very disappointed with the response of air traffic controllers and IMPACT. It is deplorable that IMPACT and the controllers are threatening further stoppages and the Authority deeply regrets the potential for ongoing uncertainty and disruption.

We would ask the Union and its members to listen to the people of Ireland and take a commonsense approach to this issue by returning to normal working practices. Once normal work is resumed the suspensions will be lifted. IMPACT members must however refrain from any ‘work-to-rule' activities. The Authority is already aware of a co-ordinated unofficial ‘work-to-rule' campaign designed to slow operations and impede flights. These activities include:

1. Co-ordinated position not to respond to overtime call-ins for short-term absences.
2. Slowing aircraft push-backs to a minimum level.

The actions of the controllers have an enormous affect on the national economy and our international reputation, as well as the travelling public and those people considering further industrial action must take that into account.

Following yesterday's unwarranted action it is clear that the public will not accept disruption to essential services by highly paid operators in search of a 6% pay rise (costing €6m per annum). The entire country - The Taoiseach, Minister, the Airlines and passengers and business community are demanding that no further disruption takes place and that the Controllers put an end to their disproportionate action in pursuit of pay rises and a refusal to make pension contributions.

We welcome the cross-party support for the Minister for Transport's initiative to introduce a no-strike policy for those working in essential services.

The IAA is available and has always been available to meet in the Labour Court. Any discussion will have to link all three issues that need to be addressed: pay increase, pension contribution, and work practices.

The work that controllers are now refusing to do is work they have been doing for the last two years and were doing until three weeks ago. On January 1st 2010, they refused to continue such work. No business can have its staff dictate what work they will do and will not do, particularly in a safety-critical business such as ours.

All air traffic control systems are continuously upgraded as a matter of course. This is a high-tech service requiring ongoing technical upgrades to its systems, many of them Windows-based. The IAA's customers - the airlines - cannot pay additional charges every time such upgrades and updates occur.

The IAA receives no State aid, is funded by the airlines, and would have to pass on to the airlines the entire cost of any pay increase awarded to staff. The airlines have clearly indicated that in the current global downturn such pay rises are unaffordable and will result in the loss of jobs.

The Authority implores the controllers to take the necessary step back to enable the discussions to start.

Ends

For further information:

Tony Lane

01 603 1199