Ferry strike over pay cuts

ONE of the south-west coast’s busiest ferries will ground to a halt for one day next week as crew members strike over salary cuts.

SIPTU has served notice of a one-day strike on June 4 on the Cape Clear ferry, Naomh Ciaran II. It operates between Baltimore and the island on daily basis throughout the year.

It claims its members are protesting at pay cuts from 22% for deckhands to 27% for the ship’s master. The stoppage will last from 8.30am to 7pm.

“The company also expects the employees to work four extra weeks between May and September, for nothing,” said SIPTU branch organiser Eddie Mullins. “The reasons it gives are that the ferry is running at an alleged loss and the falling levels in the cost of living. If the employer was losing money, it would sit down and talk to us. It is purely a vindictive approach by the company. The company is saying that because the cost of living has gone down and because mortgage repayments are lower, that it is justified in reducing their wages. That is ridiculous.”

SIPTU claims it has been writing to the owners of the vessel repeatedly for a number of months.

“To date the company has refused to acknowledge our correspondence, including requests for discussions.

The employees are very united in this case and are determined to fight these unilateral cutbacks.

“We have also invoked the Payment of Wages Act, of which the company is in clear violation.”

“We are available for talks if the company is willing to meet us.”

Ciaran O’Driscoll, owner of the ferry said: “I have heard nothing about this so far. That is all I will say at this stage.”

If the action goes ahead it is unlikely to affect voting the next day.