Union says suspension of new service down to management incompetence

July 24th: Unite today (Monday) described a statement by Waterford Airport to the effect that it is placing four of its staff on temporary layoff as “unacceptable” and warned that Unite members will refuse to work additional hours to replace those laid off. In addition, the union rejects the proposal that a manager be rostered to perform some of the duties of those laid off. Commenting this afternoon, Unite Regional Officer Tony Kelly said that the airport’s statement came just half an hour after a meeting with Unite at which the union rejected the airport’s plans. Mr Kelly also accused management of “incompetence” in failing to check that the proposed new service by Air Southeast had a tour operator’s license; the absence of such a license has resulted in the service’s suspension and the layoffs announced today.

“Despite the fact that Waterford Airport is top-heavy with management and supervisory grades, they were apparently unable to carry out a basic check such as ensuring that a new carrier had a tour operator’s license.

“It is unacceptable that Unite members should be asked to pick up the tab for management incompetence.

“I am this evening putting the airport on notice that Unite members will refuse to work additional hours to replace those laid off, and rejects the proposal that a manger be rostered to perform some of the duties of those laid off. If management persists in its plans we will have no option but to ballot for industrial action.

“Waterford Regional Airport is a crucial facility in the South-East, and the entire region is being ill-served by management’s apparent incompetence”, Mr Kelly concluded.