|
Irish Ferries dispute 2005
Passing
the Picket © R.T.E. 2007
A series which revisits some of the most memorable and ground-breaking
industrial disputes in recent years. As well as archival footage from the
strikes, the programme will feature interviews with employees who were on either
side of the picket line and analysis on how these disputes shaped the modern
trade union movement. In this program Fiona Kelly revisits one of the most
memorable and ground-breaking industrial disputes in recent years, the
2005 Irish Ferries dispute.
Passing The Picket - The Irish Ferries Dispute
28 February 2007.mp3
(12MB) ©
R.T.E. 2007
Hello
All,
Just to let you know the last Irish ferries ratings directly employed by
the company left as from the 31st. August 2006. Myself, Anto Murphy,
Seamus Collins, and Tommy Kirwan were the last. I finished up on the 31st. The
last Irish rating. There are still a small number of officers left, but they
will be going soon. We put up a good fight but the time had come to bow out
gracefully. Thanks to everyone who supported us along the way. It was a good
job, the best, but now is only a part of Irish maritime history.
Tony
Hayden --- 6th.September 2006
Press
cuttings:
Protest March November 2005
TOM MACSWEENEY'S
MARITIME MONITOR --- September 2005
IRISH FERRIES
ACTION BAD FOR THE FUTURE OF SEAFARING IN IRELAND
The action by Irish Ferries in asking its 543 seafaring staff to take voluntary
redundancy is a serious blow to the future of Irish seafaring. The number
involved represents almost half the existing level of Irish seafaring
employment. It is an attempt by Irish Ferries to get rid of Irish staff in
favour of outsourcing employment at cheaper costs to the company. This policy of
outsourcing could destroy the future of Irish seafaring employment.
The Maritime
Development Office, which is part of the Marine Institute and so a State agency,
has completed a study of the problems facing the shipping industry and concluded
that Irish seafaring employment is under serious threat from this approach
towards the outsourcing of employment to non-Irish seafarers which, it seems, is
exactly what Irish Ferries wants to do. According to the IMDO study, at least
900 seafaring jobs could be lost during the next three to five years by
outsourcing.
The Exchequer would lose between €8 and €12 million and even
more when indirect services are costed into the equation. Loss of those
seafaring jobs would also be a strong disincentive to young people considering a
career at sea so that, in the future maritime knowledge and expertise could be
completely lost to Ireland. This, Marine Minister Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher, has
warned, could even have potential effects on future of the National Maritime
College established at Ringaskiddy.
The Minister asked Irish Ferries to defer
its action pending Government consideration of recommendations made by the IMDO
in its report to assist the shipping industry. Irish Ferries has not responded
to the Minister's request. With strike notice already given by SIPTU and
considerable anger expressed by the International Transport Federation, which
represents seafarers worldwide, there is likely to be industrial difficulty for
some time ahead at Irish Ferries.
http://www.rte.ie/radio1/seascapes/
SEASCAPES ON
TELEVISION
There is a SEASCAPES teletext service on AERTEL on RTE1 Television at page 388.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Back
to Articles and News page
| 
