SIPTU and Irish Ferries enter third day of LRC talks

SIPTU and Irish Ferries have entered a third day of talks at the Labour Relations Commission in an effort to resolve the dispute over the company's controversial "outsourcing" plan.

The ferry firm wants to replace all of its existing workers with cheaper labour from eastern Europe.

It is also planning to re-register its vessels in another country in order to circumvent Irish labour law and pay its new workers less than the minimum wage.

This week's talks were arranged following proposals from the National Implementation Body set up to oversee compliance with social partnership.

However, the discussions are believed to be deadlocked over the NIB's recommendation that Irish Ferries be allowed to re-flag its vessels if it gives a commitment to pay workers the Irish minimum wage.

SIPTU believes that the only way to get the company to honour Irish labour law is to ensure that it remains registered in Ireland.