The ongoing dispute at Airmotive stems from a claim by a group of unions who are seeking payment of 10 per cent "approval payment" to approximately 80 craftspersons. The matter has been before the Labour Court, but the court, in a recommendation dated 12 December 1995, did not recommend concession of the claim. The recommendation was not accepted by the workers concerned and strike action involving a number of the work-force subsequently commenced on 1 April 1996. While a number of lay-offs have occurred as a result of that strike action, it is understood that no redundancies have taken place.
As I have said in the past, the resolution of an industrial dispute is ultimately a matter for the parties directly involved, availing, where required, of the assistance of the dispute-settling agencies of the State, such as the Labour Court. Within this context our system of industrial relations leaves it up to the parties to accept or reject a recommendation from the court.