Ferries' settlement accepted as minimum wage enforced

Both sides in the Irish Ferries dispute have emphasised the benefits of the agreement which led to the resumption of sailings on Wednesday, December 14th and the payment of the minimum wage to staff.

Brendan Hayes, vice-President of Siptu, stated that the "negotiated settlement" would have a framework for the protection of workers in the company, and for the "viable operation" of the ferries business into the future.

Under the agreement, Siptu have got significant increases in the rates of pay proposed by the company. The national minimum wage (Ä7.65 an hour) will now be paid to the new staff. Rates of pay will increase in accordance with increases in the minimum wage.

Staff will also have more time off than initially planned.

Terms and conditions with staff who want to remain with the company have also been reached.

The reopening of the redundany offer has also been secured as well as crewing ratios and higher terms and conditions for officers than originally proposed.

Under the agreement, the company will "reflag" its vessels to another state with industrial peace guaranteed for another three years.

Alf McGrath, Irish Ferries' director of human resources, stated that the agreement would last three years at first. He said, though, that there would be a mechanism for a review during this time.