Madam, - Fyffes was quick to take credit for the actions of its contracted banana boat which rescued the British transatlantic oarsmen (The Irish Times, August 10th). In our experience the company is not so quick to take responsibility for the actions of its contracted suppliers in Belize, where time and again workers' efforts to unionise have been undermined by intimidation and dismissals.
Fyffes has its own code of practice which guarantees the right to unionise but this has yet to make a difference on the ground. We look forward to the day when banana workers, not just oarsmen, can say "We are just glad Fyffes were there". - Yours, etc.,
BRENDAN ARCHBOLD, National Official, Mandate Trade Union, Cavendish Row, Dublin 1.