ICMSA workers to strike over bullying claims

UNION bosses yesterday served strike notice on the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) in Limerick over claims of bullying and harassment.

SIPTU branch secretary Ger Kennedy claimed management at the farming group had failed to address poor treatment of workers.

He said ICMSA bosses had offered an employee redundancy without approval from the group’s national council. Mr Kennedy also called on the union’s 10 members at the west of Ireland depot to walk out.

“The dispute is about the unacceptable treatment of employees by management and a generally poor working environment which has led to intolerable working conditions,” he said.

“Management of the ICMSA have failed to address allegations of bullying and harassment as well as an attempt to dismiss one of our members, contrary to our procedural agreement with them.”

Mr Kennedy said the matter has been before the Labour Court with third party adjudication but no progress had been made. He also claimed ICMSA management reneged on a private agreement made during those negotiations.

“It is extremely unfortunate that matters have deteriorated to the point where our members felt they had no alternative but to serve strike notice,” he said.

The stoppage is due for next Tuesday, with pickets placed on the ICMSA head office in Limerick.

In a statement last night, the ICMSA said it “rejects utterly the outrageous allegations made against it that are contained in SIPTU’s announcement. The unjust and illogical nature of those allegations will only confirm ICMSA in its conviction that what is actually at issue is the question of who directs the association - the farmer members, or a handful of staff members and SIPTU?”