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.