Trade unions meet gardaí over Irish Ferries protest

Officials from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions met with gardaí today to finalise plans for a National Day of Protest in support of staff at Irish Ferries.

Members of more than 50 unions will take part in the demonstration with tens of thousands of people expected to march through Dublin.

A Congress spokesman said there had been huge support for the protest with the public expected to come out and support trade unions.

“There has been huge support and we expect the public will support the unions,” he said.

The main Dublin protest will be supported by demonstrations in Rosslare, Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Galway, Sligo, Athlone and Tralee.

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 in order to accommodate the expected massive crowds.

The protest will be addressed by David Begg, general secretary of Congress, SIPTU general president Jack O’Connor and SIPTU negotiator Patricia King.

The Congress spokesman said that while they welcomed the support of political parties, no politicians would be allowed on the platform.

Speculation has mounted that between 30,000 and 50,000 protesters will join the march. It will start at Parnell Square at 1.30pm, crossing O’Connell Bridge to the front of Leinster House before making its way along St Stephen’s Green and down the front of Government Buildings to Merrion Square.

Dozens of unions have come out in support of the ship workers following calls from umbrella body ICTU.

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.

Many trade unionists have labelled the plan social apartheid.

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.

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.

Teachers however have been warned they risk losing a day’s pay if they leave schools to attend.