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SR Technics unions call on Government to act immediately to save aviation industry

Date Released: 03 Apr 2009

SR Technics unions are calling on the Government to “act before it is too late to save the aviation industry and avoid a major industrial dispute”. SIPTU Branch Organiser Pat Ward said last night that time had run out to resolve the issues with SR Technics and its sovereign fund backer Mubadala. He also questioned SR Technics claim that it was costing €2 million a week to keep the North Dublin plant open. He estimated that the true figure was nearer to €600,000 or €700,000.

“The successful resolution of this dispute is now firmly in the hands of the Government”, he said. “If the political will exists to save the industry it will be saved. If not, it will be gone. This is the first real test of the Government’s commitment to keep strategic industries afloat and provide a floor below which employment will not be allowed to fall. We know there are thirty expressions of interest but what are the Government, the IDA and Enterprise Ireland doing with them? The time for dithering is over.

“Tomorrow 600 workers, over half the regular workforce will be let go. Today was a terrible day at the plant. I saw grown men crying and embracing friends they had worked with for a lifetime and whom they would never work again.

“The workers have engaged in a determined and dignified protest and in everything short of industrial action to save the plant. However, in the absence of company acceptance of the Labour Court recommendation, in the absence of Government action and in the absence of action by the State agencies we will have no option other than to go into dispute with the company.”