Irish Ferries threaten further lay-offs

THE bitter dispute between SIPTU and Irish Ferries looks set to intensify dramatically today as another union prepares to enter the fray and the company threatens further lay-offs.

The dispute, which centres on the decision to contract out jobs on the MV Normandy to foreign crews, escalated on Monday when Irish Ferries instructed staff on two other ships not to take on any passengers or freight.

All services were suspended yesterday, leaving passengers to find alternative means of travel. The Irish Road Haulage Association said 96 trucks were so far facing costly delays as they waited on standby for other sailings.