Strike threat at British embassy
Unite trade union, which represents the Irish staff at the embassy, commenced a ballot for industrial action yesterday.
The staff have threatened the action after three senior staff members were told last Friday they would be issued with compulsory redundancy notices.
“Dublin is the only British embassy worldwide which recognises trade union membership and there has been a positive and agreed set of procedures dealing with issues and disputes since 2003,” said Colm Quinlan of Unite. “The decision on compulsory redundancies, which is understood to have originated in London, falls outside those agreed procedures.”
He said the individuals affected are locally recruited managers dealing with British trade and investment matters in Ireland.
“Between them they have 20 years service at the embassy. There was a lot of anger at today’s meeting over the manner in which this decision was arrived at and was communicated to staff,” said Mr Quinlan.
“The ambassador and his staff have shown complete disregard for the Irish Labour Relations Commission through which this should have been negotiated.”
The British embassy said: “We are disappointed to hear that staff have voted to ballot for strike action. No redundancy notices have been issued to staff and we believe that any strike would be unnecessary and regrettable. We have followed established consultation procedures throughout and will continue to operate in full compliance with Irish labour law. Three of our 53 locally engaged staff are affected, and three UK based diplomats.
“The embassy will remain open for business whether or not the strike goes ahead,” it said.
Meanwhile, a Russian man is protesting outside the Nigerian embassy over claims he is owed holiday and overtime pay. Sergio Strebkovas claimed after he did not show up for duty at the end of last year, as he was sick, he was indefinitely suspended. Mr Strebkovas said he was left with no choice but to resign and request the pay.
After several days of protest he was given his pay, but the holiday and overtime pay, which he said totalled to €1,694.72, remained outstanding.
