Future of partnership to dominate SIPTU conference

The future of social partnership is expected to dominate SIPTU's national delegate conference in Cork later today.

The union has warned that the partnership process is currently under threat as a result of Irish Ferries' move to replace its seafaring workers with cheaper labour from abroad.

The company had refused to discuss the move, but it agreed to enter talks following a Labour Court intervention yesterday.

SIPTU has warned that if the company is allowed to ignore Irish labour laws on its Irish Sea routes then the union's participation in social partnership is pointless.