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Branch News

SR Technics tells unions it is not yet prepared for negotiations over closure

Date Released: 20 Feb 2009

Unions at SR Technics were told today that the company was not yet ready to discuss its planned closure of the North Dublin plant, or handover to a new operator, as it had still to finalise its refinancing arrangements for the whole group. Meanwhile the Dublin Airport Authority will be ending the leasing arrangement for the hangars where the company employs over 1,200 highly skilled workers.

SIPTU Branch Organiser Pat Ward said, “We were very surprised that the company was not ready to negotiate with us today and we asked why they had invited us in when they knew they had not finalised their financial arrangements. Perhaps we should not have been surprised given that the chief executive that told us the company had a long term commitment to Dublin only eleven months ago. However management did give a commitment not to sell or transfer equipment out of the hangars.

“They also indicated that there were a number of parties interested in taking over various elements of the operation. We made it clear to them that we wanted to keep the plant as one operation rather than allow it to be broken up.

“Finally we met with Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny this morning at the airport and he was very supportive of our stance to keep the 50 year old aircraft maintenance tradition alive at Dublin airport and we have been invited to attend the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport next Wednesday to make our case. We understand that the company has also been invited to attend.