End to three-week Irish Ferries dispute in sight

A RESOLUTION to the three-week impasse at Irish Ferries appeared closer last night as both sides began to make progress in Labour Relations Commission (LRC) talks.

If agreement is reached, the Ulysses and the Isle of Inishmore - stranded in Wales for nearly three weeks - could sail home as early as this morning.

With a threat of reduced redundancy payments hanging over staff yesterday, sources indicated last night that minimum wage rates for incoming agency workers on Irish Ferries’s ships were close to being agreed.

Sources also indicated agreement was close to being reached on staffing levels and working hours.

Yesterday’s apparent advances represent the first sign of progress since management controversially sent in teams of security guards to force the introduction of new agency crews.

Although talks had not concluded at the time of going to press, it is understood the company position on reflagging its vessels had eased as long as agreement could be reached on other cost-saving measures.

Meanwhile, in the event of reflagging, senior SIPTU sources appeared confident about the feasibility of agreement on working standards suggested by the National Implementation Body (NIB) 10 days ago.

However, the question of union recognition for new agency workers is understood to be a difficulty.

Yesterday’s progress came amid rising tension and unease between unions after the company threatened to cut promised redundancy payments by 25% if ships did not sail by last night.

Irish Ferries, which has lost over €5.5 million as a result of the dispute, also threatened to abandon winter services on the Jonathan Swift, a move which would result in immediate lay-offs.

The threat put pressure on SIPTU negotiators, many of whose members would lose windfalls should redundancy be cut.

It also raised tension between SIPTU and the Seamen’s Union of Ireland (SUI), whose members have been largely in favour of accepting redundancy.