Minister for the Environment John Gormley has been called upon to intervene in an ongoing industrial dispute between cleaners and a company contracted to clean the department’s headquarters.
The cleaners claim that Schorman Contract Cleaning Services, which took over the cleaning contract for the Custom House, has failed to honour commitments given for the continued employment of the workers. The cleaners have been picketing the Custom House since July 1st. Labour TD Joe Costello said the “hands-off” attitude displayed by Mr Gormley in relation to the dispute was not satisfactory and called on him to intervene.
Karen Smollen, Siptu branch organiser for the contract services branch, said the department had a duty to protect the workers.