Protests to go ahead as hopes fade for ferries deal

LAST-DITCH talks on the crisis at Irish Ferries were continuing late last night even as trade unions prepared to take to the streets en masse today in the largest public protest of recent times.

At one stage as Labour Relations Commission (LRC) negotiations intensified yesterday evening, management at Irish Ferries indicated they would walk away from talks at 6pm if the union did not accept the current redundancy offer, which has not changed since the dispute began two weeks ago.

SIPTU, for its part, claimed to have offered significant cost savings - understood to be in the region of the €20 million Irish Ferries had been seeking. That offer, though, was conditional on the postponement of the company’s plan to re-flag its vessels or a guarantee that no one would be paid less than the national minimum wage.

But after a series of deadlines came and went yesterday, hope of any agreement in the increasingly bitter dispute faded quickly.

The LRC’s failure to negotiate a breakthrough means a bleak, uncertain future for more than 500 workers at Irish Ferries as tens of thousands gather nationwide to protest at the company’s actions today.

With little hope of a deal, today’s Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) protest is expected to mushroom into one of the largest demonstrations of trade union muscle in decades.

Even in the event of a last-minute breakthrough, the demonstration will go ahead in Dublin, Cork and six other locations throughout the country.

Despite criticism that commuters will face widespread public transport disruption during the marches, bus and rail workers are planning a complete stoppage.

Although angry that the Government will dock the wages of those who take part, teaching unions have committed to keeping schools open.

While ICTU said the event seemed to have “struck a chord with the Irish public”, business group IBEC continues to object, saying Ireland’s reputation will be damaged.

With speculation that upwards of 50,000 people may take part, gardaí have asked organisers to change the route of the parade from the front to the back of the Dáil where more people can be accommodated.

As Sinn Féin activists occupied IBEC’s offices in support of the Irish Ferries workers yesterday, 10 independent TDs held a press conference in Dublin to lend their support.

“Irish Ferries is attempting to create a disastrous precedent. If successful, and other employers were allowed to follow suit, workers in this State would be the losers,” said a statement from the group.

Meanwhile, Irish Ferries vessels remain stranded at ports in Ireland and Wales since management tried to introduce Eastern European replacement crews on board two weeks ago.

The National Implementation Body has recommended that Irish Ferries postpone its re-flagging and negotiate with unions.