Fórsa is writing to the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, on behalf of the union’s members employed by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), seeking a deferral of the planned vesting day (Sunday 30^th April) for the IAA under the terms of the Air Navigation and Transport Act.

The vesting day would see the separation of regulatory and navigation functions at the IAA. Fórsa has sought the minister’s intervention due to several industrial relations issues affecting members that remain unresolved.

Unions representing IAA staff, including the AHCPS, have said the unresolved IR issues have the capacity to adversely affect the smooth transition and successful operation of the separate functions. 

Assistant general secretary Derek Kelleher told the minister: “The Air Navigation Service is currently struggling with high traffic levels and serious staff shortages. The shortage of ATCOs is not limited to Ireland, it is a global issue.

“The highly competitive global labour market for ATCOs, in addition to the strained working environment at the IAA, has led to these highly-skilled workers leaving the company in large numbers to avail of lucrative job opportunities elsewhere.

“This has created an extremely difficult working environment for remaining ATCO members, as they continue to cope with large traffic volumes and staff shortages,” he said.

Fórsa has said there are three outstanding issues which must be resolved if the new structures are to operate successfully. These are:

• Human resource planning: This includes staff retention, an appropriate call-in scheme and necessary recruitment to ensure safe staffing levels and ‘futureproofing’ of sustainable staffing.

• Pensions: A binding arbitration has not been implemented and needs to be fully resolved in advance of separation.
• Pay restoration: Fórsa and the IAA continue to be in dispute concerning the restoration of a pay cut imposed in 2021.

Derek said talks to resolve these matters were unsuccessful and were subsequently referred to the Internal Disputes Resolution Body (IDRB). Following last week’s meeting of the IDRB, he said it’s clear that more time is needed for the parties to resolve the outstanding issues.

He concluded: “It’s Fórsa’s view that these issues need to be resolved to both ensure public safety and facilitate the smooth separation of functions as envisaged by the legislation.”

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.