Media

20 January 2010:  "Significant numbers of flights will be disrupted and cancelled today because of action by Air Traffic Controllers.  We apologise to the travelling public and to our customer airlines for this disruption.

            "Our primary concern in the IAA is airline safety.  Air traffic controllers, through their union IMPACT, have outlined the actions they intend to take today - stoppages in all airports.  These actions are likely to escalate.

"Work stoppages like those proposed for today cause distraction and uncertainty.  We cannot operate a crucial and safety-critical service in an environment of uncertainty.  We need the full assurance that all controllers are prepared to carry out all assigned duties. 

"To resolve this dispute, the Authority requires the controllers and IMPACT to be prepared to address the following three issues together:

1. We need controllers to resume normal working practices - as was the case on all projects until the end of '09;
2. We need them to suspend their 6% pay claim;
3. We need them to pay a contribution towards their pension in line with all other public service workers. (The Controllers make no contribution to their own pensions. The Authority, meanwhile, pays a contribution of 30.5% of salary for every member of staff.)

"They are among the best paid public servants in the country.  On average, they cost the Irish Aviation Authority €160,000 each.  Earnings for the top ten per cent of controllers in the country last year ranged from €170,000 to €230,000.

"They work 182 days a year, they have 137 rest days, and 36 days holidays - in addition to 10 public holidays.  They work a 35 hour week.  They are entitled to a break of 30 minutes for every two hours worked.  They work five days and then get three days off.

"We want them to be reasonable and suspend discussion of this 6% increase.  We have told them we will be happy to review it in 2012.  We want them to make a contribution to their own excellent pensions, in line with everyone else in the public sector.  We have not cut salaries.  We are not cutting jobs."

            "Paying this 6% would cost the IAA an additional € 6 million each year.   This cost would have to be passed in its entirety to the airlines who fund the IAA - the Authority receives no State funding and operates a cost recovery model. 

"The airlines cannot afford to pay any increases in the current economic climate.  The aviation industry is on its knees.  Airlines cannot afford to take on this additional cost.

Ends

For further information:

Lilian Cassin

Corporate Communications Manager

(087) 6474079

(01) 6031455