Irish Ferries officers vote for strike

SHIPS' OFFICERS at Irish Ferries have voted "overwhelmingly" for strike action in a ballot which concluded yesterday. This follows an announcement by the company that it is to suspend winter sailings to France from November 4th.

SIPTU, which represents the officers, has said that it "deplores" the way Irish Ferries management communicated the decision to staff. A SIPTU official, Mr Paul Smith, said that no prior consultation had taken place and most crew members had heard the news through the media. He accused the company of deliberately trying to run down the French route.

Mr Smith called on the Government to do everything it could to ensure that the company reversed its decision to suspend winter sailings to France.

B and I officers and ratings, who crew the company's Irish Sea sailings, have decided to support their colleagues on the continental route "if a negotiated settlement is not secured".

The Irish Ferries Workers' Action Group has also condemned the company's "scant reward" for its staff and criticised working conditions on the continental ferries.

Almost 400 people took part in a protest march organised by workers at Irish Ferries in Dublin yesterday. Led by the Mayor of Wexford, Mr Dominic Tierney, the group left Parnell Square at 2 p.m. and marched to Leinster House. There they were met by a number of TDs, including the Minister of State, Ms Joan Burton, the Fianna Fail deputy leader, Ms Mary O'Rourke, and party colleagues Mr Ray Burke, Mr Liam Fitzgerald, Mr Ivor Callely and Mr John Browne. Labour's Mr Sean Kenny also met the protesters.