Fáilte Ireland lock-out 'unprecedented', says Siptu

Bosses at Fáilte Ireland were criticised tonight for locking out striking workers from one its Dublin offices.

Up to 54 employees at the Pembroke Row premises are picketing the tourism authority regarding plans to relocate the marketing division across the city.

The Siptu union, which represents the workers, said it was unprecedented for a state agency to engage in such aggressive behaviour.

Sinn Féin described the lock-out as an absolute disgrace and called for dialogue between management and unions.

Party spokesman Arthur Morgan said: "This dispute could have been avoided if Fáilte's management had taken part in meaningful engagement with Siptu on the proposed relocation of certain departments.

"Sinn Féin fully supports the workers in their endeavours and would urge people to show their support to workers on the picket lines."

Local Siptu branch organiser Owen Reidy claimed that industrial relations in Fáilte Ireland are at an all-time low.

"Morale in the marketing division has hit rock bottom - with union members feeling alienated from senior management.

"This dispute typifies management's ongoing failure to honour previous agreements and their inability to make a success of the merger between Bord Fáilte and CERT," he concluded.

Fáilte Ireland was established under the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003, which resulted in the merger between Bord Fáilte and CERT.