Dublin Port secures court injunction

Dublin Port Company has today secured a court injunction against a blockade relating to a dispute involving Marine Terminals …

Dublin Port Company has today secured a court injunction against a blockade relating to a dispute involving Marine Terminals Limited (MTL).

In a statement, Dublin Port Company said it had obtained a High Court injunction "to stop the irresponsible and dangerous actions in the attempt to blockade the port's navigational channel yesterday".

"The actions which constituted dangerous illegal secondary picketing attempted to involve Dublin Port Company and other port customers in a dispute which they are not party to."

Talks at ending an eight-week long industrial dispute involving workers at MTL are to take place at the Labour Relations Commission next Monday morning.

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"The actions of protesters posed a reckless endangerment to human life. Furthermore, Siptu's tacit support and encouragement of the dangerous and illegal action was highly irresponsible," Dublin Port said.

The company added the union should condemn any action that threatens to block vessels from entering or leaving the port and risks the safety of ships and people's safety.

Siptu is to meet MTL to try to resolve the dispute, which has resulted in a series of protests and a two-month strike by workers at the cargo-handling company.

The union claims the company wants to introduce compulsory redundancies and cut the pay and dis-improve conditions of the remaining workers.

About 40 MTL staff and supporters continued their protests yesterday when, using five 5.2m (17ft) boats, they attempted to block ships entering and leaving the port.

Siptu said no ships entered the MTL berth, which can accommodate up to five vessels, during the protest, and that a Stena Line vessel was delayed for a time in the main channel because of the protest.