Unions attack decision to cut 150 jobs

BY STEPHANIE LORD

This week, representatives from the Seamen's Union of Ireland will meet with Sinn Féin TDs in an effort to solve the problems following ongoing benchmarking at Irish Ferries.

SIPTU and the Seamen's Union of Ireland have said that they are appalled by the decision of the Irish Continental Group to axe the jobs of 150 Irish seafarers.

In a joint statement, the two unions explained: "Manage-ment has put forward a voluntary severance package for all permanent staff and has given the unions until 5 November to avail of the offer. The unions are seeking more time for members to consider the proposals and an extension to the deadline for the take up of the redundancy terms."

The two unions - representing members in Irish Ferries - were informed at a general meeting last Thursday of management's intentions to outsource Irish Ferries' service between Rosslare and France, which has operated for over 30 years. This outsourcing would involve 150 Irish staff redundancies on the MV Normandy and the bringing in of an "EU crew" by using a third party staffing agency to find crew for the Ireland-France route rather than employees. The Irish crews that do not take the voluntary severance package will be transferred to the Dublin-Holyhead routes, meaning that those who have worked on that route for as much as 30 years will now have to work in Dublin.

A spokesperson for the Irish Continental Group, which owns Irish Ferries, said that the moves were designed to cut costs across the group and followed a restructuring of staffing levels on the company's Irish Sea Routes earlier this year.

"We are showing our commitment to this service but it must be at a cost structure that works and allows us to offer fares that are low enough to attract the business we need."

This displays a blatant disregard for their current Irish employees.

Minister for State Pat Gallagher has announced his regret at the decision to contract out the management and crewing of the Rosslare to France route but has failed to comment on the knock-on effect it could have for Wexford as well as the employees on the other Irish Ferries ships.

Employees from Irish Ferries are worried that this could eventually lead to the same happening with the Dublin routes. The company has already decided to close its office in Dublin's Merrion Row and transfer its call centre operation to other existing premises, blaming a decline in walk-in business.

The unions are now calling on TDs to lend their support to ensure that these jobs and this Irish service are saved.