Cliffs of Moher industrial dispute suspended

ONE of the country’s most popular tourist attractions, the Cliffs of Moher will be free of industrial unrest for the remainder of the summer tourist season.

This follows Clare County Council subsidiary Cliffs of Moher Centre Ltd agreeing to a union demand that analysis of its financial data be carried out.

The undertaking by the council’s subsidiary to carry out the analysis arose from a hearing at the Labour Court between SIPTU and the company.

The two sides met at the Labour Court after 17 SIPTU members agreed to suspend their strike action at the beauty spot last month.

The workers had picketed the site for nine days during which time thousands of tourists continued to visit the 600ft-high cliffs.

The council agreement to have the centre’s financial data analysed was a key demand by SIPTU during its industrial dispute, along with the matter being referred back to the Labour Court.

At the centre of the dispute is the Cliffs of Moher Centre Ltd’s refusal to implement a Labour Court recommendation giving the Cliffs of Moher employees the same terms and conditions as their council counterparts.

Company director, Ger Dollard, said during the dispute that the company could not sustain such a claim, remarking that the Labour Court does not write a cheque when making its recommendation.

The company has stated that it would cost €400,000 per annum to implement the Labour Court recommendation.