Irish Ferries workers win Labour Court case

SIPTU has welcomed a Labour Court ruling that workers on Irish Ferries services between Rosslare and Cherbourg should be employed directly by the company.

The trade union had been in dispute with the ferry firm over its plans to "outsource" employment on the MV Normandy in an effort to cut costs.

The dispute led to the temporary lay-off of hundreds of crew members and the disruption of sailings before Christmas.

SIPTU has welcomed the Labour Court's ruling in the matter and said it hoped the company would implement it.

Spokesman Paul Smyth said strike action would be on the cards if it failed to do so.

"If the company refuse to implement it, I think it will be a difficult industrial relations period ahead," he said.