Irish Ferries dispute escalates

The stakes have been raised in the dispute at Irish Ferries after the company's shore staff voted by a 3 to 1 majority in favour of strike action in support of their SIPTU colleagues.

The strike mandate is being held in reserve for the moment but will be invoked should the row over outsourcing deteriorate further.

Rallies in support of Irish seafarers whose jobs are at risk will take place at Pembroke later today ahead of further events to include ICTU's Day of Protest next Friday

Siptu's Paul Smyth is in no doubt that the dispute must be sorted sooner rather than later and he said the company has been asked to participate in talks more than once.