Air passengers have good reason to feel aggrieved as they contemplate the likely disruption of their travelling plans next week with the attendant difficulties and extra costs that may arise as a consequence. Two separate industrial disputes, involving air traffic controllers and Siptu ground staff at Aer Lingus, are coming to a head. And the prognosis for a strike-free outcome is poor.
Notice of a one-day stoppage designed to ground all flights has been served on the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) for next Thursday. Even before that, an official overtime ban by air traffic controllers could disrupt services in some areas from Tuesday. The trade union Impact claims the dispute concerns a chronic shortage of staff. And while there may be some merit in that suggestion, demands for enhanced overtime and on-call payments and changes to rosters would suggest the staff shortage is a convenient weapon. After all, services were maintained by roughly the same number of operators during peak summer and winter holiday periods. Why should the situation reach a crisis point in a valley period?
The Labour Court has invited the IAA and Impact to talks next Monday. And there is a general belief that a deal can be cobbled together to prevent disruption. The situation at Aer Lingus is much more complex. For the third time in less than six months, the threat of industrial action at the privatised airline has discommoded passengers. Previously, pilots were involved. Now the ground staff and baggage handlers, represented by Siptu, are threatening strike over proposed changes in work practices.
Nobody likes change. But in a fast-evolving and hugely competitive business like the aviation industry, companies that don't adjust, change their culture, don't survive. It is a reality that some people at what was once a State-owned enterprise appear reluctant to confront. They are still getting over the culture shock of entering the private sector. Aer Lingus management needs to generate savings of €20 million in order to remain competitive. And the Labour Court accepted this was a reasonable objective. That was more than 12 months ago. But the talks designed to secure this objective failed to deliver. Management has had enough. Chief executive Dermot Mannion has insisted the company will not return to arbitration. And Siptu is balloting its members for strike action in the event of management introducing new work practices.
There are tiny tendrils of hope. The result of a strike ballot by workers, next Sunday, is not a foregone conclusion. The disputed changes to work practices were largely devised in a process which included Siptu, as an alternative to pay cuts. And Mr Mannion has indicated the company is still prepared to discuss details of implementation. A strike would damage the interests of both management and workers. It would seriously inconvenience the travelling public. Sometimes trade unions have to give ground. This is one of those times.