Union row is a ‘sideshow’ to the Luas dispute, Mulvey claims

The row between the chief executive of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and Siptu president Jack O'Connor is a "sideshow" to the Luas dispute, WRC chair Kieran Mulvey has said.

“Jack and I will sort this out. We’re big people,” he said, in relation to the row following his comments on RTÉ radio that the commission’s settlement proposals for the Luas dispute, which were rejected by staff, had been relatively good.

Mr O’Connor subsequently called for Mr Mulvey’s resignation and said Siptu had no confidence in his ability to independently chair the Luas dispute settlement talks.

Speaking on RTÉ's Claire Byrne Live, Mr Mulvey said his dispute with Mr O'Connor would be sorted.

“The dispute itself has to be [sorted], never mind the issue between myself and Jack O’Connor.

“We’ve known each other for 25 years. We’ve never had a disagreement to my knowledge.

“We’ll sort this out. I don’t think we should worry about it. It’s a sideshow to the essential issue.”

Asked if he still held the view that the commission’s Luas dispute settlement proposals were relatively good, he said: “To a large degree I don’t want to add to that beyond it’s a sensitive period at the moment.

“There’s a possibility of two further days of strike next weekend . . . and I think it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to comment any further at this stage.

“I cannot comment on the Luas dispute. I seem to get into trouble when I do so.”

Denial

He denied suggestions the commission would have no further role in talks to resolve the dispute.

“The commission was today getting around its business in inspection, enforcement, adjudication, conciliation. We’ve been working with Siptu officials around the country.

“I think the main focus has to be in creating a situation in which this dispute is resolved. It’s a war of attrition at the moment.”

Speaking on the Luas dispute, he said: “I think it’s like a lot of other disputes that are beginning and threatening at the moment - people have been through a very tough period.”