Travel disruption expected during nationwide workers’ protest
Bus, rail and air travel disruption is expected later today when workers throughout Ireland down tools for a national day of protest over the low level of statutory redundancy payments.
The protest was organised by four of Ireland’s largest trade unions and will culminate with a march to the Dail in Dublin.
It is unclear if bus, rail and airport workers will participate in the stoppage, but commuters and passengers have been advised to expect delays.
Today’s demonstration is aimed at highlighted the Government’s failure to increase statutory redundancy terms for workers who are laid off by their employers.
At present, workers are entitled to half-a-year’s pay for every year of service under the age of 41 and one week’s pay for every year above that age.
Unions want the Government to introduce legislation increasing this minimum to three weeks’ pay per year of service.
The protest was also organised to support former staff at Peerless Rugs in Co Kildare and the Irish Glass Bottle plant in Dublin, whose employers have refused to pay redundancy terms recommended by the Labour Court.
