Industrial action started this morning

Strike follows unilateral imposition of hours cut

July 20th: Unite today called on Waterford Regional Airport to confirm or deny whether they are recruiting strike-breakers.  Workers at the airport began indefinite strike action this morning.   The strike, which comprises full withdrawal of labour and placing of pickets, follows management’s decision to slash workers’ hours from 39 to 21 hours per week without agreement.  In addition, management refused to allow workers into their place of work to work their currently agreed rosters – a refusal tantamount to a lockout.

Speaking in Waterford this morning, Regional Officer Tony Kelly said:

“In light of management’s decision to unilaterally cut workers’ hours, and their ongoing refusal to engage meaningfully to find a way forward for the airport, our members had no option but to take the strike action which started at 7.15 am.

“This morning I received information indicating that Waterford Regional Airport is seeking to undermine our legitimate industrial action by recruiting strike-breakers.  I am now calling on the airport’s management to make a public statement confirming or denying whether this is the case.

“Separately, Unite will be raising serious concerns about strike breaking attempts by this employer at the ICTU Executive which meets today.

“Any attempt by Waterford Regional Airport to recruit strike-breakers would represent a very serious escalation of this dispute”, Tony Kelly warned.