IMPACT’s IAESA branch, which represents airport middle management, technical and professional staff, is expected to be able to ballot its members on pay proposals soon. The union is negotiating in the Workplace Relations Commission on a deal covering pay, flexibility and future procedures for collective bargaining.

IMPACT official Johnny Fox said the parties have met a number of times, and believes the union is set to achieve a major breakthrough for the branch, which has sought a collective agreement for over three years.

“Once complete, this deal will see IAESA members in middle management and professional grades under the protection of a collective agreement for pay purposes. This will ensure the introduction of proper pay bands covering the various grades, replacing the current system whereby new recruits and promotees are offered personal contract terms often on inferior rates to existing staff,” he said.