NIB intervention paves way for fresh ferry talks
Fresh talks aimed at ending the Irish Ferries dispute are due to get underway today following an intervention from the National Implementation Body.
The body, which includes representatives of employers, trade unions and the Government, has put forward proposals to resolve the stand-off over the company's plan to replace its staff with cheaper labour from eastern Europe.
Irish Ferries' four vessels are tied up in port as part of a major row over the move that is threatening the whole social partnership process.
Reports this morning said the NIB proposals called on the company to guarantee that it would pay at least the minimum wage to all of its seafarers and would honour Irish labour laws.
The proposals also reportedly deal with the wider issue of enforcing minimum employment standards across the whole economy.
The NIB, which was set up to oversee compliance with social partnership deals, has recommended that Irish Ferries and SIPTU enter talks at the Labour Relations Commission immediately with a view to finding a resolution by Wednesday.
Both sides have agreed to attend the discussions, but SIPTU has expressed scepticism about the possibility of a deal being reached by Wednesday.
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