Irish Ferries row moves to Labour Court

THE row over Irish Ferries’ controversial plan to lay off 543 staff and replace them with cheaper foreign workers will move to the Labour Court today with the company and trade union SIPTU both scheduled to attend.

But Irish Ferries last night insisted it would discuss only “procedural” issues and not the controversial redundancy plan itself.

A spokesman also said that, by Saturday night, over 90% of the workers had given written confirmation that they intended to accept the redundancy package on offer.

But SIPTU said many workers, who had felt “bullied and intimidated” into accepting the redundancy package, had since changed their minds.

One of the reasons for some changing their minds was the preliminary advice received by the Government from Attorney General Rory Brady.

He believes Irish Ferries cannot legally claim the employees are being made redundant when they are simply being replaced.

As a result, the “redundancy” packages for the employees would be subject to tax, making them considerably less attractive.

In addition, the employees could lose social welfare entitlements if they accept the packages.

The threat of a strike has lessened temporarily following a High Court injunction granted to SIPTU last week which prevents Irish Ferries from laying off any staff until a further court hearing on Wednesday.

SIPTU’s strike notice will have run out by then, but the union has given the Labour Court an assurance that it will hold off on industrial action until the court’s work is concluded.

Meanwhile, asked last night what would happen if Irish Ferries officials, despite their intentions, were asked to discuss the redundancy row in the Labour Court today, the company spokesperson said: “We’ve always been very courteous to the Labour Court, you know, so we would have to wait and see ... But our intent is quite clear.”

But SIPTU said that intent was deplorable.

“This is a highly profitable company which is ignoring all procedures and treating staff in a deplorable way that is detrimental even to its own long-term interests,” said Mr Smyth.