Irish Ferries faces closure and loss of 700 jobs over union refusal

IRISH FERRIES could face closure and the loss of more than 700 jobs if the Seamen’s Union of Ireland (SUI) maintains its refusal to jointly negotiate a €3.4 million a year cost-cutting plan with the company.

SIPTU, which represents a section of the Irish Ferries staff, has agreed to a Labour Court recommendation that it negotiate jointly with the SUI.

Last night, both the company and SIPTU said the failure of the SUI to take part in joint union talks by this coming weekend could result in the company’s closure.