Labour Court backs IAA stance on new technology
The Labour Court has issued its first recommendation in relation to last week's dispute between the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and ATCOs. In its statement, the Court said that the IAA was within its rights to introduce new technology to meet customer's needs and to improve safety. Last week the IAA suspended 14 ATCOs for refusing to implement new technology, a move which resulted in a four hour work stoppage which effectively closed Irish airspace for the duration and grounded 20,000 pasengers.
In its recommendation, the Labour Court said that "The changes associated with the disputed projects does not go beyond the parameters of what can properly be classified as normal on-going change," The Court is expected to issue its findings later this week in relation to the IAA's claim that it cannot afford to pay a 6% pay increase to ATCOs under the last national wage agreement.