Court bid to halt airport strikes

Airport bosses are taking court action in a bid to stop rolling work stoppages that will cause travel chaos.

Passengers have been warned they face disruption on Monday when staff at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports begin industrial action over a pensions row.

Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) went to the High Court to seek an injunction against the Siptu trade union in relation to the planned stoppages, with a full hearing planned for Friday.

It claims some members, including fire, police and search units, cannot take action because of existing agreements between the company and trade union.

Aer Lingus has also been served with notice of industrial action, but it is not yet known how this will affect flights.

"DAA is deeply disappointed that trade unions have embarked on this unwarranted course of action and is exploring every option available to avert potential disruption to its operations," it said.

"The planned industrial action, which relates to pension issues, is needless and will cause unnecessary worry and inconvenience for the travelling public.

"DAA is currently in a conciliation process with trade union representatives in relation to the pensions issue under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC).

"These negotiations are ongoing and the decision to persist with notice of industrial action, while the industrial relations machinery of the state is fully engaged with this issue, is unwarranted."

Siptu criticised the DAA for going to court instead of engaging in constructive negotiations to resolve the dispute. It maintains DAA and Aer Lingus are no longer prepared to honour their obligations to fund the pension scheme.