Business group slams SIPTU over Irish Ferries protest

The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association has accused SIPTU of manipulating the trade union movement for its own purposes in relation to the Irish Ferries dispute.

The business group made the accusation today as tens of thousands of trade unionists prepare to hold protests throughout the country over the erosion of employment standards.

The protests were organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to show solidarity with Irish Ferries workers and to demand government action to prevent a "race to bottom" in the jobs market.

However, ISME, which is opposed to the demonstrations, claimed it was "a blatant and extortionate attempt to further the aims of SIPTU".

Spokesman Mark Fielding claimed the union was trying to strengthen itself ahead of negotiations on a new social partnership deal.

"The unions themselves are undermining the industrial relations process in this country, which they say they hold so dear, but in fact they're giving two fingers to," he said.