Workers defer planned strike at Kerry crane firm

Workers at a leading construction machinery company in Co Kerry have agreed to defer planned industrial action pending talks between management and their union.

Up to 350 employees at Liebherr Container Cranes in Killarney were planning to strike this week as part of a row over pensions, sick pay and other issues.

However, the action was deferred for a week last night after SIPTU and the company agreed to enter talks on the matter under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission.

The main bone of contention is management's move to close off the company's defined-benefit pension scheme to all new employees.

Liebherr is one of Killarney's leading employers and there were fears for the 450 jobs at the firm as a result of the industrial dispute.