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Unions seek intervention of Labour Relations Commission after talks break down with SR Technics

Date Released: 19 Mar 2009

Talks between union representatives and SR Technics management were “very charged and emotive”, SIPTU Branch Organiser Pay Ward said after a three-and-a-half hour meeting today. “There was no progress made and we have referred the dispute to the labour Relations Commission because of the entrenched position taken by management.”

Both sides are expected to meet at the LRC next Tuesday morning at 11am.

“The company told us they were not in a position to improve on their redundancy offer of less than one week on top of the statutory entitlements to the workers. Some of our members have worked for over 40 years at the plant. Nor was the company prepared to give undertakings to meet the shortfall in the pension fund. Its representatives would not even confirm or deny the figure of €26 million given for the shortfall in media reports.

“In the circumstances there was no point in continuing negotiations at local level, so we have referred the dispute to the LRC. Meanwhile we will be actively exploring all means of preventing the closure on the plant on Tuesday week.

“Among the demands we will be making is that the DAA refuse to hand over the €20 million that SR Technic is seeking as a refund from its lease on the hangers. This money would be better spent on helping fund an adequate redundancy scheme or meeting the shortfall in the pension scheme.”

Earlier SIPTU met with the IDA and was told a short list from up to 30 expressions of interest in the plant would be drawn up shortly.