Calls for mediation as Liebherr dispute worsens

Amid calls for a cooling-off period, both sides in the increasingly fraught dispute at the Liebherr container crane factory in Killarney, Co Kerry, were yesterday considering the outcome of a Siptu ballot.

A majority of the 300 Siptu members at the giant factory voted to reject a Labour Court recommendation on back pay on Tuesday.

The company had agreed to pay the 2.5% rise, back- dated to May 2012, subject to changed work practices at the 670-strong plant.

However, many Siptu members are unhappy with what is being sought by the company, claiming a new, 11-point plan would worsen their conditions of employment and lead to a loss of overtime.

Other contentious issues include proposed changes in the bonus system, online clocking of jobs, and a proposed obligatory holidays for two weeks in August.

Union officials, however, were yesterday remaining tight-lipped and issued a brief statement.

Siptu organiser Marie Kearney said: “We are now in the process of considering that [the workers’] decision with our committee. We are writing to the company as per the result of our ballot and will remain available for direct discussions.”

Liebherr also declined to indicate what its next move would be, with a spokesman only saying the company would wait and see what the result of the ballot meant.

Liebherr has already said further expansion and increased employment at the plant are in jeopardy and some work is being transferred to its overseas plants.

It was also reconsidering the components to be manufactured in Killarney, adding that the process of sending work to Liebherr plants in Germany would continue in 2014.

Several Kerry politicians, meanwhile, yesterday called for mediation and a commonsense approach to help resolve the bitter dispute.

Independent TD Tom Fleming said it was a very sensitive time for all concerned and there was a need “to steady the ship’’ so that dialogue could take place between the parties.

He said: “There’s a need for a period of reflection and assessment to see what’s the best way forward at this stage.’’

Independent Killarney town councillor Donal Grady, a former Liebherr employee, said both sides should sit down with a mediator who should be someone with common sense.

Killarney mayor Paddy Courtney offered himself as a mediator in his town hall offices.

The situation is also being watched closely by Jobs and Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton and the IDA, and there was speculation last night of intervention at Government level to advance a mediation process.