Siptu said today it is continuing efforts to resolve a pay dispute for the crew of a Latvian-registered ship in Greenore port, Co Louth.
The Latvian crew of the Fortuna I are in dispute with the ship's Latvian owner over payment arrears dating back four months, and crew members stood down in protest.
The 11 men claim they have not been paid since November and are now refusing to unload the cargo vessel at the Carlingford Lough port until their arrears are met.
Siptu's International Transport Federation inspector, Ken Fleming, told ireland.com the crew had been told repeatedly by the ship's owner, Bruno Ginve, that they would be paid after the next trip but had sailed from port to port on false promises for the past four months.
Mr Fleming said that following Siptu's intervention, Mr Ginve was now prepared to pay the workers two months' arrears up to January 2007.
The crew, whose basic monthly pay is €257, stood down at Greenore port on Friday and insist they will now only maintain the safety of the vessel until the matter is resolved.
Mr Fleming told ireland.com: "This is not an ordinary dispute involving picket action. The men have stood down over a breach of contract; however they will maintain the safety of the vessel and carry out any necessary fire fighting and mooring duties."
The 2,200 tonne bulk freighter is carrying 1,750 tonnes of steel bars for Galway-based importer Coen Steel.
Mr Fleming said the crew had worked approximately 300 hours a month since November and were now expecting substantial arrears once unpaid overtime had been taken into account.