Irish Ferries deny union reps access to ship

IRISH FERRIES continued to deny union representatives access to the Jonathan Swift in Dublin Port yesterday as union members on two other ships in Wales remain in a tense standoff with management security guards.

However, with the vessel weather-bound in Dublin, crews were yesterday continuing with their normal duties in the absence of any instructions from management of unions.

With extra security guards deployed around the ships docking area on Thursday night, SIPTU union rep and chief officer Noel Fagan was denied access to the ship.

Although security levels have now returned to normal, management continues to deny union reps access to members on the ship.

Late on Thursday night, as confrontations developed in Wales, workers leaving the Dublin ship at the end of their shift had been told nothing by management.

However, yesterday Irish Ferries human resources director Alf McGrath and shipping director Eddie Keane boarded the vessel to address staff members, many of whom refused to attend the meeting.

Speaking from the ship yesterday, chief officer Declan Black said the 26 crew members on board were going about their normal duties.

However, many feared a confrontation like those in Wales could develop at any stage.

“They are very worried that ex-army people might come on board. The lads in Wales say the security there were ex army. They are worried that the same thing could happen here. Everybody is just concerned about what is going to happen,” he said.

“This is like something from the last century. People are worried about what is going to happen. People are worried about their jobs.”

Unlike in Wales, no attempt to introduce agency workers has been made, although unions suspect some of those Eastern European workers currently caught up in the Welsh standoff are destined for the Jonathan Swift.

Mr Black confirmed that union reps and officials continued to be turned back from boarding the vessel although shift changes of listed crew were taking place as normal.

Although officially SIPTU is keeping its plans under wraps, privately many workers on the Jonathan Swift said they would support a port blockade or a disabling of the vessel.