DublinTaxi drivers at Dublin Airport returned to work yesterday after a deal was reached at all-night talks aimed at bringing an end to strike action.
The row centred on the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) decision to withdraw the drivers’ access to spaces in an overflow area where drivers park before they are called to the ranks outside the terminal buildings.
The DAA says there are 55 disputed spaces, while taxi representatives claim there are 70.
Drivers and the airport body held overnight talks with an independent mediator until 5.30am yesterday in a Dublin hotel.
While no final agreement was reached, mediator Sheamus Sweeney drew up a plan for the issue to be resolved by September 7th.
The authority will restore disputed parking spaces for two weeks, during which time a permanent resolution must be reached with taxi representatives.
Drivers have ended their action, which was entering its third day, and returned to the airport’s terminals to collect incoming passengers.
If no agreement is reached by the deadline early next month, the authority may continue with its plans to cut spaces and the taxi drivers could step up their industrial action.
Jerry Brennan of the National Irish Taxi Association said members viewed the plan as positive.