Irish Ferries - Protests a symptom of job worries

Tens of thousands of people joined in protest marches around the country yesterday, ostensibly because of the Irish Ferries dispute but also to express serious concern at the threat to employment standards implied in the attempt by the ferry company to get rid of more than 500 Irish workers for cheaper labour.

As the talks between SIPTU, the main union involved, and Irish Ferries currently remain stymied, workers all over the country participated in the day of national protest, from Cork to Dublin, from Sligo to Tralee, as well as towns and cities in between.

Unimpressed by IBEC assertions that the malaise of job displacement and exploitation of migrant workers will not contaminate other sectors, that it is unique to shipping, workers overwhelmingly supported the call by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to oppose such a development.