Panto in doubt over strike

THE opening night of Cork’s biggest Christmas pantomime was in doubt again last night after last-ditch pay talks between Opera House staff and management collapsed.

SIPTU reissued strike notice for next Tuesday, December 13, the first night of Babes in the Wood, after a three-hour meeting yesterday afternoon failed to resolve what it said are low pay issues.

The union also withdrew from Labour Relations Commission-brokered talks in Dublin tomorrow, organised should local talks fail.

SIPTU official Bill Mulcahy said staff are now fully prepared for their first 24-hour work stoppage at 8am next Tuesday.

At least two more 24-hour stoppages are planned as part of the industrial action - which includes simultaneous work-to-rule - during the busy panto season.

Management said they were saddened by the move and appealed to the union to re-engage in LRC talks.

“The company cannot sustain strike action and stoppages,” a spokesperson said.

Both sides met yesterday in a bid to avert the strike.

But Mr Mulcahy described the talks as “very disappointing.”

He said management offered 8c an hour extra to a previously rejected pay offer made in September.

“We don’t want to spend time going over the same ground. The strike is going ahead,” he said.

But he said the union will not reject a reasonable offer between now and Tuesday.

However Opera House management said they put forward their best offer - up to an 8% increase over Sustaining Progress.

“In addition to this, a sick pay and pension scheme was proposed along with an early review of all rates again in March 2006,” the spokesperson said.

“The entire company, currently employing over 100 people, 43 of whom balloted for strike, is saddened at this action.”

Opera House chairman Gerry Barnes met with staff and actors last night to outline the current position.

A decision on whether panto performances will be cancelled is expected this morning.