Clerical workers dispute resolved
The Civil and Public Service Union welcomed the settlement terms proposed by the National Implementation Body, which supervises the social partnership agreement.
Following meetings of CPSU members in dispute in Counties Mayo, Galway, Limerick, Kerry and Cork (Clonakilty), it was agreed to accept the terms and return to work today.
The CPSU said members agreed to the early resumption of work because of concerns about animal health and welfare-related issues.
A meeting with Department of Agriculture management will also take place today to discuss implementation of the NIB proposals.
The dispute led to some 262 staff being removed from the department’s payroll and farming activities being disrupted in various parts of the country.
Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh last night welcomed the agreement of the striking CPSU staff to return to work.
The parties will engage to complete discussions using the process suggested by the NIB.
The IFA, which staged a protest outside the department veterinary offices in Galway City yesterday, accused the minister and his senior officials of having failed to provide them with an essential service on cattle movement during the strike.
Galway IFA chairman Michael Silke said many farmers had suffered substantial losses and had seen their livelihoods put in jeopardy as a result.
Connaught IFA vice-president Brendan O’Mahony said that farmers in Galway, Mayo, Cork, Kerry and Limerick were facing grave difficulties as a result of the strike.
Fine Gael agriculture spokesperson Billy Timmins welcomed the resolution of the dispute, but asked Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Mr Walsh why was it permitted to drag on for almost three months and why they did not deal with the issue.
