This article is from page 3 of the 2008-04-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
SHANNON workers leaving the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) have won their battle to secure travel concessions into the future.
The dispute between the SAA and SIPTU threatened to disrupt the ac- ceptance of the €36 million survival plan for Shannon last year.
However, the issue was parked after both sides agreed to refer the matter to the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) and the restructuring plan proceeded.
Last year, SIPTU members voted in
favour of the survival plan, but found out only after discussing their sever- ance package that they would forfeit their travel concessions, which al- lowed them a small number of free flights each year and reduced fares on Aer Lingus.
The matter could not be resolved at the LRC and was referred to the Labour Court.
According to the Labour Court rec- ommendation, SIPTU argued, “The long standing custom and practice of travel concessions for voluntary retirements was formalised into an agreement in 2000 through discus-
sion and agreement with the trade unions at the time.
“There was also voluntary retire- ments in 2002 and 2003 where mem- bers retained their travel concessions. On another occasion a number of in- dividuals left the company but were advised directly by management before they accepted that in these particular circumstances the travel concession would not apply.
The union also argued, “The man- agement negotiating team never once mentioned the issue of travel con- cessions. It was never referred to in the LRC proposals document which
was the subject of explanatory meet- ings prior to balloting. The issue over travel concessions only became known to staff after one to one in- terviews for the Voluntary Severance Scheme.”
In response, the SAA argued, “This was a once – off voluntary severance package which was negotiated in de- Oe
The onus was on the Union to seek to include such matters as travel con- cessions.
“Severance arrangements involve the end of the employment relation- ship including benefits in most cas-
oe
The Labour Court recommendation published last year but only brought to light now, states, “the court is of the view that as there was no com- mon ground on the issue during the period of the negotiations; in the circumstances outlined, the Staff Travel Concessions should continue to apply.
“Furthermore, the court recom- mends that in the event of discussions on future severance terms taking place, the issue of Staff Travel Con- cessions should clearly be addressed in the course of those negotiations.