SR Technics workers block entrance to Dublin airport

Two hundred workers from SR Technics blocked the main entrance to Dublin airport for over an hour this afternoon in a protest at the closure of the facility. Meanwhile unions at the company were to meet today to discuss their next move following the company's rejection of the Labour Court recommendation that the proposed redundancy payments to workers be doubled and the €26m pension deficit be made good. The Labour Court's recommendations are not legally binding.

Also today, Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Mary Coughlan told the Dail that the IDA (Industrial Development Authority) are evaluating three proposals to save the aircraft maintenance company. Insisting that the government would back a viable proposal, should one emerge she also said that it was a 'very simplistic view' that you could take money owed to people and put it into the company.

During Leaders Questions in the Dail this morning the Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore said that the government wasn't working hard enough to save jobs at the SRT facility, adding that Ireland would end up without an aircraft maintenance industry if SRT closes. It would appear that Mr. Gilmore is spending too much time east of the Shannon !

Posted 090401