A leading figure in employers' group IBEC yesterday warned trade unions that they would shoot themselves in the foot if they proceeded with their planned stoppages next Thursday, one of the busiest days of the year for the Republic's transport industry.
SIPTU and a number of other unions are planning a series of stoppages on the bus and rail network, and at the three biggest airports on Thursday, the day after St Patrick's Day. The bus and rail networks are threatened with a 24-hour shutdown, while Cork, Dublin and Shannon airports will be hit with six-hour stoppages.
This is likely to be one of the busiest days for the public and air transport industries as visitors seek to return home after the national holiday.
Speaking at an IBEC conference on transport in Dublin yesterday, Mr Tom Noonan, chairman of the confederation's transport council and chief executive of Maxol Ireland, urged the unions to think again.
"Such a move will simply alienate the very people who depend on the services that union members say they are so anxious to protect," he said.
Speaking after the conference, Mr Noonan argued that industrial action was regarded as a last resort after negotiations and arbitration procedures had failed.
"On this occasion, it seems that we have had no negotiations and we are starting with industrial action," he said.
"To be fair to the minister [Mr Brennan\] he is only trying to do what successive governments should have done but didn't."
Mr Noonan claimed that liberalisation in Irish transport markets was inevitable, and added that it was already happening at a European and global level.
"I believe that very soon, irrespective of our national stance, we may be required to liberalise these markets by legislative dictat," he said.
In a clear reference to the lucrative share option deals the Communications Workers' Union secured at Eircom, he pointed out that other unions have secured "prosperity and service enhancements" in other State monopolies.
"I would put it to them that it would be in the best interest of their members if they were to accept the general principles of Government policy and negotiate the best deal for the members now," he said.
"Why not demonstrate negotiating skills rather than a show of industrial muscle?"
