Siptu and Irish Ferries agree to talks

Irish Ferries and the trade union SIPTU have agreed to attend talks on Monday, November 28th, over concerns of further difficulties with the company’s plans to replace Irish crews with cheaper foreign workers.

On Sunday November 27th, an Irish Ferries vessel from Rosslare to Dublin was diverted after harbour workers refused to allow the ship to dock at its original destination.
The MV Normandy arrived in Dublin Port just before 11pm on Sunday. This was nearly 24 hours after leaving Cherbourg, France, with more than 100 people on board.

SIPTU workers had refused to allow the vessel into the Co. Wexford port although there had been claims from Irish Ferries that a crewmember had been injured on the ship.
The Normandy left Cherbourg more than eight hours after Irish Ferries had been told by Iarnrod Eireann (who operate Rosslare Port) that the vessel would not be allowed to dock there.

Meanwhile the Labour Relations Commission has confirmed that it has invited Irish Ferries and Siptu to attend talks on (Monday November 28th).
The National Implementation Body is also monitoring the dispute and may get involved if the LRC initiative fails.