Knock-Dublin air service stalled by strike

The start of a new daily air service between Knock and Dublin has been put off because of industrial action.

More than 30 workers at Knock airport - including 15 hired specifically for the operation of the new Dublin service - have rejected a management offer of a 10 per cent pay rise in return for working unsocial hours.

According to airport manager, Mr Michael McGrath, the workers are seeking between 20 to 33 per cent and have rejected taking the case before the Labour Court. He said the airport had no option but to suspend the service.

But SIPTU representative, Mr Sean Nolan said no more meaningful negotiations took place outside a single two-hour meeting. He said the decision not bring the case to the Labour Court was based on a request by the chief executive of the LRC, Mr Kieran Mulvey to both unions and employer to stop dumping cases on the court.

Mr Nolan claimed he found it amazing that a company's first offer was also its final offer. He said for workers coming to work for 6 a.m. instead of 9, issues such as transport and childcare had to be dealt with and that was why his members rejected the 10 per cent offer.

The contract to provide a daily flight to Dublin was awarded to Air Arann on December 18th and was due to start this Thursday.

The Minister for Public Enterprise, Mary O’Rourke, launched the service last week.