Support for ferry workers grows
Support for workers fighting plans to outsource hundreds of jobs at Irish Ferries was spreading across all sectors today with teachers’ and transport unions backing a national day of protest.
As management at the ferry company and SIPTU leaders entered a second day of intensive talks in a bid to end the bitter dispute, the 3,500-strong National Bus and Railworkers Union called on members to show their solidarity.
Liam Tobin, NBRU general secretary, said drivers were being asked to join Friday’s demonstrations while ensuring commuter services were not disrupted.
“The protest has been organised to show solidarity with the workers in Irish Ferries and to demand Government action to address the issues of displacement and exploitation in the Irish economy. All members are encouraged to support this initiative,” Mr Tobin said.
“It is imperative, however, that members supporting this protest ensure that public transport is available to bring commuters to their destinations in the morning and to take them home in the evening on the day of the protest.”
The long-running dispute began after Irish Ferries revealed plans to replace 543 Irish workers with cheaper Eastern European staff.
Unions have insisted the proposal could lead to exploitation, job displacement and a drop in employment standards across many industries.
Dozens of unions have come out in support of the ship workers along with umbrella body the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
The NBRU’s call to action came as primary and secondary school teachers and nurses were urged to join rallies in the fight against what unions have labelled social apartheid.
Some 2,000 teachers are set to join the main march in Dublin, while the Irish Nurses Organisation said healthcare workers not working on Friday should also attend.
All 57 unions affiliated to Congress support the day of action, while civil and public servants, transport workers and the Dublin Congress have also given their backing.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to join the demonstration through Dublin, with speculation mounting that between 30,000 and 50,000 protesters may take part.
A SIPTU spokesman said: “There has been a groundswell of support for the march.”
Congress officials have been liaising with officers from the Garda Traffic Division and have been asked to end the demonstration outside Government Buildings on Merrion Street, rather than the narrower Kildare Street.
Marches will also take place in Rosslare, Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Galway, Sligo, Athlone and Tralee.
John Carr, general secretary of the country’s largest teaching union, INTO, said he hoped as many as 2,000 teachers would turn up to the march in Dublin.
But he insisted steps were being taken to ensure staff were available in schools to look after youngsters.
John White, general secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland, said talks with management were ongoing to decide what would happen in senior schools on Friday.
But he warned a significant number of people were expected to join the march and secondary schools could close for a half-day.
“What we’re saying is that as many as possible, within the constraints, should be attending,” Mr White said.
“We don’t want a situation where this march is not supported in a very significant way by second level teachers.”
