Ferries move ‘raises questions about social partnership’

SIPTU has said the move by Irish Ferries to replace its workers with cheaper labour from abroad raises serious questions about the social partnership process.

Under this process, unions, employers and the Government have met frequently to draw up agreements on wages and other issues that could threaten industrial peace.

However, SIPTU said its credibility was now in doubt due to "an increasing practice of displacement", particularly in the construction industry and services sector.

Union president Jack O'Connor said: "If what is called social partnership is incapable of addressing this, then there's no point in the trade union movement being involved in it.