SIPTU's general president Jack O'Connor has said industrial action at Aer Rianta is not inevitable. He described the situation now looming as a 'debacle', which was 'undesirable, unnecessary and still avoidable'.
In a statement, he said he wanted to clarify the union's position and dispel any confusion that might have arisen recently.
Mr O'Connor said what he called the limited action scheduled by SIPTU for next Thursday was designed to secure agreement on measures to give effect to commitments on job security and terms of employment outlined by Transport Minister Seamus Brennan in a letter on January 9.
'Aer Rianta employees should be able to reasonably expect secure and good quality employment in their company - which is trading profitably,' he said. 'But all of this has been put in doubt by the decision to break up Aer Rianta without, as yet, any evidence of a clear business plan or strategy,' he added.
The SIPTU president said the Minister had offered commitments to workers on their situation only last week, adding that he should be substantiate how the commitment could be delivered in tangible terms.
He said that while SIPTU was opposed to the break-up of Aer Rianta, 'we are not and will not be seeking to obstruct the implementation of that decision by means of industrial action'.
Mr O'Connor acknowledged that there were differences among Aer Rianta unions on tactics, but said he hoped they could continue to cooperate.
