Page 41 - Signal Winter 2019

accelerated the exodus of experienced pilots exposing key operational gaps, and leading to a situation where the Air Corps is on its knees, with over 30% pilot deficiencies and counting, which coupled with chronic shortages in aircraft technicians has threatened operational capability and impacted on service delivery.
The Emergency Aeromedical Service that operates out of Athlone and has saved countless lives since 2013 is on the brink of collapse. We heard this morning from one of the senior AC Lt Col pilots who, through lack of available personnel, has had to fly several of these missions. We heard of the arduous high-risk environment that he works in, and we heard how your officials have refused to pay him and many of his colleagues the duty allowance owed by virtue of the fact that, in their view he is too senior! It is surely not his fault that the organisation has failed to retain sufficient suitably qualified and experienced personnel to safely maintain operational output. Minister, on behalf of the Association I ask you to right this injustice and ensure retrospective payment of these allowances, budgeted for agreed between your Department and the HSE, without further delay.
Industrial Relations Climate
Minister, the Official Side is obliged under Council and the PSSA 2018-2020 to “operate and maintain a well-managed industrial relations environment to minimise disputes”. In a meeting with you and your officials on 13 February 2019, you stressed the vital importance of conducting business under the umbrella of Council in a proactive and collaborative manner. In my efforts to put across the views of the Officer body, I have often felt like the character of Andy Dufresne from the Shawshank Redemption, writing a letter a week, and getting little response. Unlike Andy, I haven’t ended up in Shawshank, but there’s still plenty of time I’m sure!
RACO’s membership was dismayed at the attempts by the Official Side to deny the Association its representation and consultation rights under DFR S6, and it was only through lengthy and detailed correspondence with you that this injustice was avoided. Indeed, I want to thank you on behalf of the Officers of the Defence Forces for deciding to forego this deeply unfair and unpopular course of action. It would have done untold damage to the industrial relations climate within the Defence Forces, and you should be commended for your judgement in respecting and recognising our rights to represent our members under regulation.
The Future of Representation
We appear to be at a critical juncture in the representative process. RACO wrote to you Minister recently with some existential questions on our future status, and that of the C&A Scheme, given your Department’s recent engagement with ICTU. Although you should be rightly praised for your reform zeal in delivering a review of the C&A Scheme which had become adversarial, unwieldy and dysfunctional, the fact that it is over a year since the review concluded with specific recommendations, the principal one being the appointment of an Independent Chair, and that this has yet to materialise is cause for concern.
The Department’s prioritisation of exploring ICTU membership for Defence Forces Representative Associations at the expense of a fully functioning C&A Scheme is worrying to say the least.
Lt Elaine Anthony DFTC addresses Conference on a motion
Lt D Cagney, NS debates a Motion
| RACO BDC 2019 |
Capt Cathal Sweeney votes YES
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