IMPACT members working at the Irish Aviation Authority have voted to back a new industrial relations agreement that includes a 6% ‘cost of living’ pay arrangement over four years, as well as new pay scales, ‘career averaging’ and a new internal binding dispute resolution system. The IAA is to formally consider the agreement at a meeting in early October.

The deal is known as the ‘New Industrial Relations Collective Agreement’, and covers 290 air traffic controllers, 52 radio officers and 46 safety inspectors. All are members of IMPACT. The agreement is designed to achieve cost stability and industrial peace.

Assistant general secretary Johnny Fox negotiated on behalf of all three IMPACT branches at the Authority, who have all backed the deal. Johnny said the deal provides “certainty on salary movement, salary protection and incremental progression over the next four years and beyond.” Johnny added that a reduction in incremental scales will enable a majority of members to access additional salary movement.

Last week the respected journal, Industrial Relations News(IRN), reported that the new binding dispute resolution system will be chaired by former IMPACT general secretary Peter McLoone. The employer nominee is Brendan McGinty, formerly of Ibec, and the union nominee is former general secretary of the CPSU, Dan Murphy.

IRN reported that the new internal dispute resolution board would ensure the proposals will be implemented and prevent the company “from arbitrarily either altering or undermining the terms of the agreement or indeed any current or future agreements.”