Publicans deny staff being forced to sign petition against cigs ban

PUBLICANS in Dublin have denied accusations that staff are being forced to sign a petition against a blanket ban on smoking in pubs.

The Licensed Vintners' Association has circulated a petition to all its members in the capital asking them to get staff to publicly declare support for a compromise proposal to the January 1 workplace ban.

But union MANDATE, which represents bar workers, described the move as "one of the most blatant attempts to intimidate Irish workers since the 1913 lockout."