Settlement offer in pub dispute criticised by union

Mandate, the union representing employees in the labour dispute at Johnnie Fox's pub in Co Dublin, has criticised a settlement…

Mandate, the union representing employees in the labour dispute at Johnnie Fox's pub in Co Dublin, has criticised a settlement offer by management.

Ms Mandy Kane, assistant divisional organiser of the union, which represent 40 employees at the pub, said that the letter circulated to staff demanded a return to work without any of the issues which led to the dispute being resolved.

However, the owner of the pub, Ms Geraldine McMahon, said that the offer was generous and "one which I believe our staff members will consider seriously".

The dispute, over pay and union recognition, has continued for almost two months.

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The settlement offer includes a return to work at the start of the next working week and the option of voluntary redundancy from that date. It would be based on a calculation of actual service and would include an ex-gratia payment of £400. The Labour Relations Commission's advisory group would conduct an investigation into the operating systems in the pub and the conciliation service would seek to resolve any remaining issues between the parties.

Ms Kane maintained, however, that there was a "clear indication that management do not in fact want these staff members back, as there is no redundancy situation available to many of them".

Each side has accused the other of misinformation and misrepresentation.

The Minister of State for Labour Relations, Mr Tom Kitt, called on both sides to renew their efforts to resolve the dispute. The ICTU welcomed the Minister's statement, but urged him to become directly involved if these efforts failed.