Last Updated: Thursday, February 12, 2009, 11:23
Shocked reaction to SR Technics closure
ELAINE EDWARDS
The Unite trade union which represents over 400 of the 1,135 workers who will lose their jobs at the aircraft maintenance group SR Technics said it was shocked and disappointed at the company's decision to close.
Regional organiser Willie Quigly said: “This is a devastating blow for workers and their families who have been employed in some cases for over 30 years in aircraft maintenance at the airport.”
“We will meet with management early next week to see whether alternative survival plans can be investigated. We believe that this move straight away to closure is too extreme in the context of existing contracts which the company holds at Dublin Airport.”
“We have been assured that the pension schemes are fully funded and secure.”
Fine Gael TD for North Dublin James Reilly said the loss of the jobs was “catastrophic” for the area.
He said the company should remove the protective notice to allow local management and workers to come together and seek an alternative solution to the virtual closure of the company.
“Tragically, over 1,100 North Dublin workers are facing the prospect of joining the 320,000 plus people on the dole while the Government remains silent on how to handle the unemployment crisis. The loss of major contracts has been a blow to the firm which signifies the increasing competitiveness issues Irish-based firms are facing and which the Government has done nothing to tackle.”
Labour Party transport spokesman Tommy Broughan said the workers had provided “outstanding service” to the company over the years, often making great sacrifices to keep it afloat.
Mr Broughan said the Government must examine with the Dublin Airport Authority, Aer Lingus, Ryanair and all other stakeholders at Dublin Airport how these jobs can be saved or transformed into other employment at the airport “given the high skills of the employees involved and the ongoing maintenance needs of the Dublin aviation sector”.
“It is now also urgently incumbent on the government itself to provide maximum support and re-training initiatives for these 1200 workers and their families.”
(Irish Times)
Shocked reaction to SR Technics closure
ELAINE EDWARDS
The Unite trade union which represents over 400 of the 1,135 workers who will lose their jobs at the aircraft maintenance group SR Technics said it was shocked and disappointed at the company's decision to close.
Regional organiser Willie Quigly said: “This is a devastating blow for workers and their families who have been employed in some cases for over 30 years in aircraft maintenance at the airport.”
“We will meet with management early next week to see whether alternative survival plans can be investigated. We believe that this move straight away to closure is too extreme in the context of existing contracts which the company holds at Dublin Airport.”
“We have been assured that the pension schemes are fully funded and secure.”
Fine Gael TD for North Dublin James Reilly said the loss of the jobs was “catastrophic” for the area.
He said the company should remove the protective notice to allow local management and workers to come together and seek an alternative solution to the virtual closure of the company.
“Tragically, over 1,100 North Dublin workers are facing the prospect of joining the 320,000 plus people on the dole while the Government remains silent on how to handle the unemployment crisis. The loss of major contracts has been a blow to the firm which signifies the increasing competitiveness issues Irish-based firms are facing and which the Government has done nothing to tackle.”
Labour Party transport spokesman Tommy Broughan said the workers had provided “outstanding service” to the company over the years, often making great sacrifices to keep it afloat.
Mr Broughan said the Government must examine with the Dublin Airport Authority, Aer Lingus, Ryanair and all other stakeholders at Dublin Airport how these jobs can be saved or transformed into other employment at the airport “given the high skills of the employees involved and the ongoing maintenance needs of the Dublin aviation sector”.
“It is now also urgently incumbent on the government itself to provide maximum support and re-training initiatives for these 1200 workers and their families.”
(Irish Times)
