There is still a chance Aer Lingus customers will not have their flight plans shredded during the coming bank holiday period and that industrial action threatened by the Aer Rianta group of unions will be suspended.
But the uncertainty created by these two unrelated disputes is hugely upsetting to the travelling public and, ultimately, damaging to the companies and to the trade unions concerned. An element of brinkmanship underpins both disputes and cool consideration, rather than impassioned rhetoric, is required to end them successfully.
Aer Lingus cabin staff are threatening a withdrawal of labour for next Thursday, and on the following Monday, in a dispute over payment involving changes in work practices sought by the airline management. A "work to rule" has been under way since early September. Labour Court recommendations were rejected some time ago by the staff. But a special hearing of the Court, last weekend, may provide a formula in time to resolve the dispute.
Aer Lingus management has sought to reassure customers that, even if the dispute goes ahead, it will operate its normal flight schedules. At the best of times, such reassurances would have to be taken with a pinch of salt. But, with Aer Rianta unions gearing up for confrontation with the Coalition Government over a decision to break up the semi-State company, the prospect of supportive, disruptive, industrial action cannot be dismissed.
The Aer Rianta unions have threatened a two-hour work stoppage on November 4th, to be followed by rolling industrial action, in order to bring the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, to the negotiating table over his plans to set up separate airport management companies at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports. Last July, arising from similar industrial action, 26 flights were suspended and more than 3,500 passengers were delayed. After that disruption, Mr Brennan and his officials advised the unions that while job security and the terms and conditions of employees were open for discussion, the policy decision on the future of Aer Rianta was not. A recent request for talks under an independent chairman, by the president of the ICTU, Mr David Begg, is expected to receive a similar reply.
There are those within the trade union movement who would like to "put manners" on Mr Brennan. They see the break-up of Aer Rianta as an assault on public transport, which includes the privatisation of Dublin bus routes and the construction of a privately-funded terminus at Dublin Airport. A struggle of wills is involved. And vested interests. There comes a time, however, when the legitimate authority of government and its right to introduce change has to be recognised. Employers, workers and a wide range of vested interests are entitled to lobby and make representations to government on issues of policy that affect their wellbeing. But, at the end of that process - and we are nearing that position - a policy decision by the duly-elected government must be accepted.