Union leaders slam Ferry firm's 700 job cuts

The loss of more than 700 jobs at Irish Ferries in a dispute over outsourcing was condemned today by union leaders.

The company began axing staff after a row over plans to cut 150 posts on its shipping route from Rosslare to Cherbourg, France, escalated.

Union bosses denied their members were on strike and claimed they had been locked out by company management who cancelled sailings from Wales and France without warning.

But the company says SIPTU was in breach of agreements and that it was up to the ships’ captains when they wanted to return to work.

Paul Smyth, SIPTU branch secretary, called for immediate talks to agree substantial cost-cutting measures and save the French sailing.

The dispute centres on the company’s decision to outsource employment next year on its MV Normandy service from Rosslare.

The union claims the move will result in Irish seafarers being replaced by “low-cost foreign” labour.

Union members said plans to outsource around 150 jobs on the France sailing, cutting payroll costs by a further €3.5m a year would provoke industrial action.

Mr Smyth said commitments given by Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher, junior marine minister, on training and other initiatives would provide a platform to cut the employment costs of Irish seafarers.

“We are now once again calling on Irish Ferries to enter talks with SIPTU without preconditions in order to resolve this difficult dispute,” Mr Smyth said.

The union also claimed the Ireland-France service was profitable, but major investment was needed. Unions agreed to savings on the MV Normandy route in June and were prepared for further cuts following a review in October.

Mr Smyth said Irish Ferries awarded a contract to an agency without prior agreement with the unions, and reneged on rules for talks on severance packages at the Labour Relations Commission.

SIPTU’s ratings members – those employed in catering, cleaning and loading ships – have voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action against the outsourcing plan.

The union said the entire marine division had informed management of their opposition.