SIPTU seeks national protest in support of ferry staff

SIPTU is calling for a national day of protest next week in support of Irish Ferries workers whose jobs are being "outsourced" by the company.

The ferry firm wants to lay off all staff on its Irish Sea routes and replace them with cheaper labour from Eastern Europe and elsewhere.

Yesterday, ships' officers and engineers seized control of the Isle of Inishmore vessel in Pembroke when security staff hired by the company attempted to implement the changeover.

A similar stand-off is preventing the Ulysses from leaving Holyhead.

The attempt to remove existing crews came despite a Labour Court recommendation urging the company not to take any measures pending further discussions.

The matter is also threatening the future of the social partnership process, with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions refusing to enter talks on a new partnership deal until it receives assurances that “job displacement” will not be allowed to take place.

SIPTU is now calling on ICTU to arrange a nationwide protest for next Friday to express support for the Irish Ferries workers.

The union's president, Jack O'Connor, said the dispute represented a defining moment for both workers and employers in all sectors.

"This is something that people across all walks of life are repelled by and the idea is that they would be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate their revulsion at what's going on," he said.