Statement from the Irish Aviation Authority
20-Jan-2010 The Irish Aviation Authority this morning suspended a further two air traffic controllers. This brings to a total of 14 the number of controllers now suspended because they have stopped doing work on a number of ongoing projects - work they had already been doing for the last two years.
The Authority deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to the travelling public and to airlines as a result of today's stoppages by controllers. Stoppages like those proposed cause distraction and uncertainty. The provision of a crucial and safety-critical service is difficult in an environment of uncertainty. The IAA needs the full assurance that all controllers are prepared to carry out all assigned duties.
The IAA wants full services restored as quickly as possible once the controllers and IMPACT give an assurance that they will address the following three issues together.
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Controllers to resume normal working practices - as was the case on all projects until the end of '09;
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Controllers to suspend their 6% pay claim;
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Controllers to pay a contribution towards their pension in line with all other public service workers. Contributions are being made by staff in similar bodies including Aer Lingus and the Dublin Airport Authority.
The Controllers make no contribution to their own pensions. The Authority, meanwhile, pays a contribution of 30.5% of salary for every member of staff.
Controllers are significantly well paid. They are not being asked to take a pay cut. They are not losing their jobs. They are being asked to be reasonable in the current economic climate where many are taking pay cuts, and losing their jobs. Pilots for instance have taken a 10% pay cut, and 1,100 people have lost their jobs in SR Technics.
The controllers and IMPACT say that this is a dispute about new technology and new work practices. It is not. This is about a pay demand and a resistance to a pension contribution. The refusal by controllers to do work they had already been doing up to end of '09 is a tactic to pressurise the Authority.
The primary concern of the IAA is airline safety. Updates and system upgrades are a normal part of the provision of a safety-critical high-tech service. Customers (the airlines) should not have to pay additional charges for such upgrades and updates.