25/02/2008

Last Minute Talks Prevent Air Travel Chaos

Irish air travellers can breath easier today with news that a planned strike by air traffic controllers has been averted.

Due to hit travel for 24-hours from Tuesday, the last minute deal has now seen union representatives agreeing to suspend industrial action.

The move by Impact, which is representing the controllers, covers the overtime ban, which was due to come into effect from tomorrow, and the 24-hour stoppage on Thursday.

The talks, aimed at resolving the dispute between air traffic controllers and the Irish Aviation Authority, began this morning at the Labour Court.

Meanwhile, following a period of intense negotiations, the threat of a strike at Aer Lingus has been narrowly averted after an agreement was reached on reforms and work practices.

The industrial action was due to kick in today - on the same day the airline launched two new services from its Belfast International Airport 'hub'.

The threat of a strike was only lifted last night after management and the SIPTU union reached an agreement after intense talks of almost 36 hours.

Aer Lingus had initially threatened to suspend staff if they failed to co-operate with new work practices which were due to be introduced today without union agreement.

However, after talks with the union a package of reforms and work practices was agreed.

SIPTU said it will spend the next week consulting with members to explain the deal and the package will then be put to a ballot of members.

Aer Lingus Chief Executive Dermot Mannion last night issued an apology to passengers for the "uncertainty of recent days".

Meanwhile, the airline has today expanded its network of routes from Belfast International Airport with the introduction of flights to Rome and Malaga, four times a week.

Tomorrow, Faro and Budapest will be added to the list, with three flights a week on each route.

The expansion brings to eight the number of routes introduced by the airline since December, when the airline opened its new Belfast hub.

(BMcC)

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