Unions downbeat about end to Irish Ferries row

UNION officials remained downbeat about the prospect of a resolution to the Irish Ferries dispute as a fresh round of talks adjourned yesterday evening.

Although a new roadmap has been suggested by Government's industrial relations troubleshooter the National Implementation Body (NIB) the main stumbling block to a resolution remains the likelihood that Irish Ferries will go ahead with plans to register its ships in Cyprus.

In an innovative effort to circumvent this problem, the NIB has recommended that Irish Ferries enter "an agreement of binding character" on workers' terms and conditions which would be maintained even if company ships are removed from the Irish register.

However, doubts about the feasibility and legal status of such an agreement will make it difficult for SIPTU to accept the measure as a valid mechanism to protect workers.

Entering talks in Dublin yesterday afternoon, Irish Ferries human resources manager Alf McGrath declined to speculate on discussions which must be concluded by tomorrow.

However, SIPTU marine branch officer Paul Smyth said he was not optimistic that an agreement would be reached. "One of the crucial elements of this agreement will be to maintain the Irish flag and I'm convinced at this moment in time that that's the only way that you can protect the standards of people on board the ships," he said.

Speaking to reporters in Dublin yesterday, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he, and the other social partners on the NIB, had spent the weekend coming up with a way of re-igniting talks.

"I think the weekend was fruitful to try and find a basis for commencing discussions today. There are difficult issues to resolve and I would really implore all the parties involved to work hard to try and find a resolution . . . It really does need sincere engagement by everybody."

Having committed the Government, through the NIB statement, to a series of improvements aimed at tackling jobs displacement and the protection of workers rights, Mr Ahern said he hoped cancelled social partnership talks could resume.

"Hopefully in the days ahead we will be allowed to get on with discussions now that have been delayed since the early autumn."

However SIPTU president Jack O'Connor has already made it clear that he expects more clarity from the Government on exactly how such improvements will be made.

Meanwhile, a national day of protest scheduled for Friday will still go ahead with support for the demonstration increasing daily.

Dublin Council of Trade Unions president Arthur Hall said it was crucial to proceed with the march despite the new talks process.

"Firstly, these talks may not succeed. Secondly, the issues of exploitation, job displacement and employment standards raised by the Irish Ferries dispute affect tens of thousands of other workers.

"Every day, Dublin trade unionists encounter people, either in the workplace or other walks of life who are being grossly exploited by unscrupulous employers. What is required next Friday is a demonstration of trade union strength that will send a clear message that this type of behaviour is not acceptable in a civilised society," he said.