From the IAA website today:
Date: February 15 2008
Headline:
Disruption to Air Traffic Services at Cork Airport
15 February 2008: due to a reported sick absence by an air traffic controller and the unwillingness of other controllers to cover this absence, there will be no air traffic services at Cork Airport between midnight tonight and 08:00 on Saturday 16 February. It is expected that one aircraft, which is scheduled to arrive after midnight tonight and five early morning departures, will be affected.
The Irish Aviation Authority regrets the inconvenience to the travelling public. Intending passengers are advised to contact their airline for further information.
Further talks are scheduled to take place on 19 February between the Authority and IMPACT, the controllers’ union, in an attempt to find a resolution to this ongoing dispute.
ENDS
Not really any better than last nights statement:
"This unofficial action is taking place notwithstanding a notification from IMPACT Trade Union on Tuesday of this week that their members were prepared to take official industrial action, including a ban on overtime effective not before 26 February 2008. The present unofficial disruption is orchestrated by controllers to ensure that the Authority is short of staff and for safety reasons the Authority has to restrict traffic and reduce or close services."
The interpretion of safe depends on your view point, staff did their best last night to ensure minimum delays in shannon airspace. The tower was kept open and flow restrictions put in place in high and low level to keep things safe but moving. The thanks we get is the above quote, and the fact that our National broadcaster is still saying that Shannon shut last night. IT DID NOT.
Not expecting the IAA to correct this error, But come on IMPACT, get the finger out and SAY SOMETHING.
OVERTIME IS SITLL VOLUNTERY,
SO WE HAVE THE OPTION TO SAY NO.
We need more staff, overtime is only leading to tired fatigued staff, and is no solution, it is only February, and already we are looking ay 6-8 high level sectors, God help us when the summer comes.
