Call for industrial dispute to end

Agreed mechanisms and commitments in the social partnership agreement ’Sustaining Development’ should be used to bring to an end the 11 week old industrial dispute in the Department of Agriculture and Food’s local offices, a farm leader said yesterday.

Civil and Public Service Union members have been picketing offices in Galway, Mayo, Kerry, Limerick and at Clonakilty Co Cork, in a row over promotional opportunities.

The dispute has led to 263 staff being removed from the Department’s payroll and farming activities being disrupted in various parts of the country.