French unions to target Irish Ferries over pay anomalies

IRISH Ferry sailings into French harbours may be blocked by French trade union officials, affecting the holidays of thousands of Irish passengers.

The International Transport Federation in France wants to take action against a number of shipping companies but Irish Ferries will be the main target.

Unions insist Irish Ferries pay below ITF standards and the company was doing “too little” to follow up on pledges to resolve the problem. In June, the ITF met with Irish Ferries officials to discuss the continuing pay anomaly that exists between the Irish Ferries vessel Normandy and other vessels also operating in Irish, British and French waters.

The ITF said an anomaly arose because of the failure of Irish Ferries and the Labour Court to ensure Normandy was covered by an ITF-approved agreement as with the other vessels.

As a result of the perceived inequality, French unions had planned to block Irish Ferries vessels from entering Cherbourg.

However, the action did not develop as the company said it wanted to activate a clause in the Irish Sea agreement of 2005, which would have led to people in the French operation receiving the same terms and conditions of the employees on the Irish operation.

According to Paul Smyth of the ITF, the company agreed to appoint an arbitrator to compare the terms and conditions of the workers on the Normandy with other shipping companies.

He then asked the unions in France to hold off on the blockade, which they did.

However, Mr Smyth said the company since then has made no effort to engage in the appointment of the arbitrator. He accused it of deliberately delaying, so that any union members onboard the ship might be rooted out.

He said he would no longer stop his French counterparts from taking action. Now officials in France are gearing up for disruptive action.

“I am almost embarrassed that I was the one who told the French that the company was going to act when they were initially wanting to blockade. Now the arbitrator has not been appointed and the company is trying to introduce preconditions,” said Mr Smyth.

“We do not mind who the arbitrator is but we will not be tied by preconditions. I cannot now tell the French the company is participating fully with the negotiations.”

Nobody was available last night to comment on behalf of Irish Ferries.