ICTU expected to press ahead with Irish Ferries rally

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is expected to press ahead with its planned Irish Ferries rally regardless of the outcome of talks at the Labour Relations Commission.

The national rally was arranged for this Friday to show solidarity with Irish Ferries workers, whom the company wants to replace with cheaper eastern European labour.

Both sides in the dispute are attending talks at the Labour Relations Commission today, but SIPTU wants Friday's rally to go ahead even if a resolution is agreed.

The ICTU executive is due to meet this evening to decide on the matter, but officials have already indicated that the protest is likely to take place.

Asked about the matter this morning, ICTU's Peter McLoone said the demonstration was about more than just Irish Ferries.

"There is a growing need to improve labour standards and to plug all of the loopholes that currently exist and remove any incentive that might encourage an employer to displace an existing workforce and replace them with a cheaper one," he said.