MEMBERS of the Airport Police and Fire Service (APFS) have voted overwhelmingly for strike action at Aer Rianta airports throughout the Republic.
If the strike goes ahead it will lead to the closure of Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports, which would be unable to comply with international air safety requirements.
The ballot result has now gone to SIPTU to receive official sanction for industrial action. The civil aviation branch secretary of SIPTU, Mr Paul O'Sullivan, said after the ballot was counted yesterday evening that he believed the issues were capable of resolution without strike action.
Those issues include a reduction in the security role of the APFS where US aircraft are concerned, and the failure of staffing levels to match the rapid increase in air traffic.
The Airport Police and Fire Service is responsible for security at Irish airports and for emergency services.
Mr O'Sullivan said that the dispute was symptomatic of serious differences between the management and his members over what the future role of the AFPS should be. "The rules and regulations are there for a good reason, to provide security and ensure there are no weaknesses in the system.
Besides the increased pressure on APFS services created by greater numbers of aircraft and passengers using Irish airports - and the growing problem of crime, and drug smuggling - there has been a demand by US airlines for compliance with Federal Aviation Authority guidelines. These require that US security personnel secure US aircraft.
This, in turn, has led to a situation where the role of APFS personnel has changed without agreement. "We have no problem with FAA regulations," said Mr O'Sullivan. "But the US cannot say unilaterally how airports are to be secured."
At any one time there are aircraft from between 10 and 15 countries using Irish airports, he said. There had to be a multilateral approach, and one that complied with Irish statutory regulations.
Aer Rianta has so far declined to comment on the dispute because of its security aspects. However, management and SIPTU are expected to meet soon to try and avert a strike during the peak tourist season.