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2004

Union members to ballot for industrial action at Irish Ferries

Date Released: 02 Nov 2004

Following the announcement by the management of Irish Ferries of their intention to outsource the crew of the MV Normandy - using low cost crews - the Seaman's Union of Ireland (SUI) and SIPTU met today to consider their position.

SIPTU Branch Secretary, Paul Smyth, said the Marine Officers' Section Committee of SIPTU had already taken a decision to ballot for industrial action in an effort to prevent the ferry company outsourcing employment to low cost operators. "Only last June, the Unions agreed proposals which we believed guaranteed all the services in Irish Ferries," he said.

The Unions believe that management's proposals should not be implemented as they will result in the certain demise of Irish seafarers.

Both the SUI and SIPTU are calling on the Government to engage in a proactive way with the unions and management to assist in the creation of a level playing field which would ensure Irish Ferries could compete with Brittany Ferries which is heavily subsidised by the French Government.

Both unions are committed to taking industrial action, up to and including strike action to retain the conditions of employment on the continental route.





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