The new contractor to provide search and rescue services for the Irish Coast Guard has reached and agreement with the union representing air crew.

As RTÉ News reports, the deal between Bristow Ireland and the union branches representing both coastguard pilots and technical crew, such as winch operators, covers terms of employment and dispute resolution.

The agreement will allow for these employees’ transfer from CHC Ireland to Bristow in 2025 when the new 10-year contract will be fully operational.

Bristow Ireland, which signed the contract in August last year to operate six helicopters and two fixed-wing aircraft from bases around the country, remains in negotiations with the union representing engineering staff.

Pilots are represented by the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA) branch of Fórsa, and Fórsa represents technical staff including winch crew.

Bristow said it is continuing to engage with the Unite trade union, which represents engineering staff, with further discussions due in early 2024.

A transition plan has been drawn up with Fórsa and IALPA for the date when Bristow takes over the contract in 2025. It is currently held by CHC Ireland which has initiated a court action.

The employees involved will transition to Bristow up to June 2025, in line with the intended transition plan and schedule.

Bristow described the agreement as a key milestone in the successful transition of search and rescue operations.

Bristow Ireland is due to provide six  AW189 helicopters from the existing Irish Coast Guard SAR bases in Shannon, Sligo, Waterford, and Dublin.

The new contract will include a fixed-wing aircraft service, with an option for the Air Corps to take over this element.

RTÉ News has more on the story HERE.

Unions representing Irish Coast Guard search and rescue (SAR) air crew and engineers are due to meet Bristow Ireland later this month in relation to employment under the new SAR contract.

Trade union Fórsa, representing air crew, and Unite, representing engineers, expect to meet with Bristow representatives in late September in relation to job guarantees.

This follows a statement by Bristow Ireland earlier this week that it has given a commitment to the Department of Transport that “the company supports the principles of TUPE and that we would fully engage with Fórsa and UNITE [unions] as part of the mobilisation phase of the contract”.

“We are fully committed to establishing pathways for personnel currently servicing the existing SAR contract to join Bristow. We look forward to early engagement with both Fórsa and UNITE,” it said.

Under Transfer of Business (TUPE) regulations applying to Ireland, a new employer is legally obliged to take on the existing employees of the business.

The new employer must take on the employees on the same terms and conditions, except for pensions.

CHC Ireland air crew were so concerned about this that they participated in a safety stand-down on September 8th, where each of four SAR bases went “off-line” for an hour at lunchtime.

“Lack of confirmation re continuity of employment, under TUPE Regulations, for CHC staff has led to elevated levels of stress amongst staff and therefore the safety stand down is necessary at this time,” CHC Ireland said.

Over 140 people have been employed by CHC Ireland at four SAR bases over the past 20 years of the current contract.

Separately, CHC Ireland has confirmed that it is continuing its legal challenge over the awarding of the contract by the Department of Transpo

The Department of Transport has announced the signing of a new contract with Bristow Ireland Limited for the next Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) Service and Rescue Aviation Service.

The new contract will run for ten years and will provide a range of essential state services, including Maritime and Inland Search and Rescue, Environmental Monitoring, Helicopter Emergency Medical and Air Ambulance Services.

Under the new contract, Bristow Ireland Limited will operate six helicopters from four dedicated bases in Sligo, Shannon, Waterford, and Dublin Weston Airport.

"The Coast Guard's aviation service will also have fixed-wing aircraft capability"

The Coast Guard's aviation service will also have fixed-wing aircraft capability available on a 24/7 basis to support the delivery of these essential services. Two King Air fixed-wing aircraft based at Shannon Airport will provide support for Coast Guard search and rescue operations and environmental monitoring.

The new IRCG aviation service will be introduced by Bristow Ireland Limited gradually on a phased basis and will be fully operational by July 2025. The contract makes provision for the possibility of the Air Corps assuming responsibility for the fixed-wing element of the service after five years.

The Department and the Irish Coast Guard look forward to working closely with Bristow Ireland Limited as it provides these essential state services under the new aviation service contract. The contract is expected to enhance mission control and communication systems, providing a more efficient and effective service to those in need.