Dublin Port rejects Union's suspension claims

Dublin Port Company has reacted strongly to a statement issued this morning by the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) regarding the suspension of five employees.

A statement from the company describes claims made by the TEEU in relation to the circumstances surrounding the suspensions as "false and grossly misleading" and have called on the Union to withdraw its statement.

"The staff referred to in the statement were not suspended for “refusing to operate tugs in the present stormy conditions” or to “operate tugs that guide and tow vessels into Dublin” as the TEEU claim.

"Their suspension resulted from their refusal to comply with a reasonable management request to undergo additional ongoing training. There are no Health and Safety issues involved in these suspensions.

"Dublin Port Company wishes to confirm that no member of staff referred to in the TEEU statement were asked to form part of a crew of a tug. It is, therefore, incorrect for the TEEU to suggest that fitters or electricians who are members of their union have been asked to operate tugs in Dublin Port.

"Furthermore, Dublin Port Company is fully satisfied that all its tugs carry sufficient life saving equipment in accordance with statutory requirement for all persons on board a tug," read the Port Company's statement.

The company also reiterates that it "complies fully with all relevant Health and Safety legislation and conforms with the highest international best practice in maritime safety".

"Dublin Port Company has had an excellent working relationship with the TEEU and it is its express desire that these good working relationships should be maintained. We are therefore disappointed with the union’s failure to contact management to clarify the issues involved before issuing a statement, which is totally without foundation."