Threat from within the union

Shannon workers have long been used to being embroiled in industrial relations problems with Aer Rianta, now Dublin Airport Authority, and Free Zone companies but their latest cause for concern comes from within their own union.

Local SIPTU figures are deeply worried that, under a restructuring plan agreed by the union at a recent conference in Tralee, Shannon Civil Aviation Branch official, Tony Carroll is to be relocated to the Cork-Kerry region and the full-time official responsible for the Shannon Free Zone is to be transferred to the Limerick City regional headquarters.
Concerns also exist regarding SIPTU’s future in Ennis, with the revised regional plan proposing that the Clare branch official would move to the Galway regional centre.
SIPTU’s head of communications, Frank Connolly, has dismissed claims that a decision on the restructuring proposals has been made. While a restructuring of the organisation and its premises had been agreed, he said discussions were ongoing with those who would be involved in the process. He stressed that the union’s national executive hadn’t even met to discuss it.
Drawing on past experiences, airport and industrial estate workers are of the view that proposals have an inevitability of coming true at Shannon. With few, if any exceptions, various proposals in respect of job cuts at the airport or industrial estate or loss of air services have been implemented.
Shannon workers have, however, a solid track record of fighting the good fight before any losses or changes are foisted upon them. With committed union representatives and branch officials in their corner, Shannon workers have always known that the best possible deal in the circumstances had been struck no matter what the outcome in any industrial relations dispute.
Details that have emerged in relation to the proposals in the SIPTU restructuring plan have shaken Shannon workers’ faith in their union. Now the SIPTU members fear that the level of union back-up that they have come to expect is to be taken away.
The Irish Transport and General Workers Union, now SIPTU, has been at Shannon since the landmark strike of 1951 when the ITGWU recruited front line staff in the restaurants and lounges who walked out. The resolution of the dispute at Sales and Catering brought, not only recognition of the union, but an agreement by management directive that all staff would be members of the union.
Given Shannon’s strategic importance as a focal point for companies in the airline and industry sector, leaving Shannon without union officials wouldn’t appear to be a wise move on the part of SIPTU. Over the years, officials working in Shannon were readily accessible to deal with members’ queries or be in a position to deal promptly with industrial relations issues. At a time of economic frailty, this level of service should be available at a location where the union enjoys a huge membership.
Some years ago, SIPTU made an attempt to move officials elsewhere but this was staved off. SIPTU members are now bracing themselves for another campaign to keep officials on the ground at Shannon, rather than getting advice and support from afar. The last thing Shannon workers want is to be engaged in a row with their own union but this could be difficult to avoid, unless the SIPTU national executive rejects that part of the rationalisation proposals pertaining to Shannon.

Spend at home
With less than a week to go to Christmas Day, if there is to be a late spending splurge, it better materialise quickly for Clare’s retailers and the local business community in general.
Just like their counterparts elsewhere, the county’s business sector has suffered the knock-on effect of the dramatic economic downturn as consumers are more likely to think twice about spending their hard-earned cash than they were a couple of years ago.
We’ve heard quite a bit in recent times about people heading across the border to make savings for their big Christmas shop, some interviewed claiming to have saved more than €500 on their trip. Many say that travelling long distances and putting up with traffic tailbacks is little hardship when balanced against the savings that can be made.
Not too many people who test the shock absorbers to the limit as they return with grocery, alcohol and gift-laden cars from places like Newry and Enniskillen are greatly bothered by pleas to show “practical patriotism” and shop in the Republic.
Neither are they paying any great attention to those who espouse the importance of an all-island economy. Their bottom line is value for money – no matter where it is to be found.
However, one must worry that such short-term personal gain could have quite a damaging effect on local economies in largely rural counties like Clare.
Just as serious a threat to local towns and village as cross-border shopping is the traditional day or weekend shopping trips to Dublin or Cork or on more frequent visits to cities on our own doorstep. In this scenario the social dimension is quite important and savings wouldn’t be the primary motivator.
In this time of recession, those of you who have a bit of extra cash earmarked for Christmas spending might consider making as many purchases as possible in County Clare. Money spent in Clare towns, large and small, could go a long way towards saving jobs.