The Dublin Airport Authority, which replaced Aer Rianta less than a fortnight ago, has become embroiled in its first row with the main union at the company.
SIPTU, the largest union at the airport, has expressed serious concern over airport chairman Mr Gary McGann's first communication to staff.
In an internal communication on October 1st, Mr McGann told staff "there will significant change" and that "the future will be different".
The union, which has 1,200 members at Dublin Airport, said the statement had caused "considerable upset" to SIPTU members. The union said Mr McGann's internal letter made no mention of the consultation or negotiation processes agreed with the Government and the unions.
The union said it was possible Mr McGann did not intend to create uncertainty but, nevertheless, a meeting was needed to clear the air. SIPTU said that, while some staff had accepted an existing exit package, this package would not be acceptable as a precedent for the future.
"Quite simply, we feel it falls significantly short when benchmarked with similar semi-state companies," said a SIPTU letter sent recently to Mr McGann.
The union said the industrial relations climate had seriously deteriorated in recent months and management were unwilling to resolve issues within meaningful timeframes.
The union made it clear it was not ruling out all change, but wanted change that was discussed and negotiated.
The union wants a meeting with Mr McGann to discuss the general industrial relations climate and the issue potential re-structuring at the company.
The comments of SIPTU follow recent media reports which suggested that among the priorities of the new board would be tight cost control. While there has been no official comment yet, the new authority may push to reduce staff numbers at Dublin and possibly Shannon.
A five-year business plan prepared a few months ago by Aer Rianta suggested that job cuts might be necessary at some of the airports.
In his staff communication, Mr McGann states: "Major challenges face the company going forward in terms of completing the restructuring process, funding and building significant new infrastructure, and managing our costs. Customer service must continue to be the priority and it is essential that, through all the changes ahead, we provide our customers with the attention and courtesy they deserve and require."
Mr McGann is looking to hire a chief executive and an advertisement was placed in the national press last week.
The board has appointed company secretary Mr Oliver Cussen to acting chief executive until the post is filled permanently.
The new authority has already ended a long-running legal battle with the aviation regulator, Mr Bill Prasifka. This legal action, which was lost in the High Court, is believed to have cost Aer Rianta about €5 million.
