Workers warned over redundancy protest action

Irish workers who plan to support a national day of protest on October 4 in pursuit of improved redundancy payments were today warned they could face disciplinary action.

A leading employers’ group also said the proposed half-day work stoppage could trigger legal proceedings against trade unions.

The protest was organised by four of the country’s largest trade unions, representing more than 250,000 workers, after a number of companies refused to make redundancy payments to workers which were recommended by the Labour Court in Dublin.

The Irish Business and Employers Confederation’s (IBEC) director of industrial relations Brendan McGinty today said such stoppages were “self-defeating”.

“Given the nature of what appears to be contemplated, it’s important that anyone who is absenting themselves without permission, obviously, there will be a loss of pay to be suffered in those circumstances and individuals will be liable to disciplinary action in line with company procedures,” he said.

He added: “It simply beggars belief that trade unions would be organising work stoppages across the country at a time when we should be doing all we can to keep jobs, not undermine them.”

However, Eamon Devoy of the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU), said trade unionists would not be intimidated by what he described as IBEC’s “threats”.

Mr Devoy said trade union councils across the country had called on all members to support the protest.

However, he insisted the groups did not see the move as industrial action, and did not expect members to be disciplined or unions to be sued.

Mr Devoy said buses may not run on the day and there was certain to be disruption.

The row was sparked by the refusal of management at Peerless Rugs in Athy and the Irish Glass Bottle Company in Dublin to pay redundancy awards recommended by the Labour Court.