Unions meeting over Irish Ferries decision
Irish, French and British unions are meeting today to discuss the decision by Irish Ferries to replace up to 550 staff with cheaper agency workers from overseas in a bid to cut costs.
The decision by the ferry firm was last night described as deplorable and unacceptable by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in the Dail but the company has defended the scheme.
Mr Ahern said the plan – under which staff who do not take redundancy will have to accept lower pay and conditions – as sharp practice which was unacceptable in the Irish labour market.
Irish Ferries said it recognised the Taoiseach’s concerns as real and genuine, but said it is facing increased competition from low cost shipping and low fares airlines.
The ferry firm said there had been a 9% fall in the Irish Sea cars market coupled with hikes in the price of fuel of 50% in 2005 alone.
In a statement, the company warned it would become unprofitable by the end of 2007 if action wasn’t taken.
Irish Ferries said more than 70% of affected workers had already indicated they were prepared to take the voluntary redundancy package, a figure challenged by Siptu general president Jack O’Connor.
Today the International Transport Workers Federation is being joined by representatives of Ireland’s largest union Siptu and other unions to outline the consequences of the Irish Ferries decision on seafarers and ferry services in the EU.
Last night the National Implementation Body – which polices implementation of national partnership deals – met to consider the plan.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr O’Connor welcomed the Taoiseach’s comments and called on the Government to do something about the problem.
“The reality is that what is called social partnership is incapable of protecting workers against displacement, which is now endemic in the Irish economy.
“There is no point in the Irish trade union movement participating in national agreements if they allow this type of situation to arise,” Mr O’Connor said.
