Agri staff demand dispute back pay

HUNDREDS of Department of Agriculture and Food staff, who were taken off the payroll during a 13-week dispute in 2003, are demanding the full repayment of the money they say they are due.

The Civil Public and Services Union said the 250 staff, who work in regional offices in the south and west of the country, are owed an estimated €1.5 million in wages and pension entitlements.

Department offices in Castlebar, Galway, Limerick, Tralee and Clonakilty were affected by the dispute over a claim for the delivery of what the union described as a commitment to additional promotional posts arising from the foot and mouth crisis.