Tunnel strike threatens chaos

DUBLIN traffic could be plunged into chaos by a planned strike by staff at the Port Tunnel scheduled for the end of this month.

SIPTU served 14 days’ strike notice on Transroute Tunnel Operations. The notice comes into effect on July 23 and, if the strike goes ahead, it will close the tunnel.

The workers claim their pay and other terms of employment are not in line with the industry norm and they are demanding that it be rectified.

SIPTU said, at present, they can earn more than 30% less than the average industry wage, although they must provide a 24/7, 365 day a year service.

The workers voted unanimously against the latest Labour Court recommendation because, despite progress on a number of key items, it left a large number of them even worse off.

“Our members could not support a Labour Court recommendation which left them in a less favourable position than previously”, SIPTU branch organiser Owen Reidy said after serving strike notice.

“The court is on record as saying it did not intend to affect members’ pay adversely. However, this is the apparent outcome of the recommendation and it has yet to provide any clarification that would address the problem.”

He said it should be remembered Transroute had been granted a five-year contract by the National Roads Authority to run the tunnel and state contracts should not be awarded on the back of low pay.