MEMBERS of the MSF union at Irish Life have voted to reject a peace formula in their dispute with the company over plans to restructure the sales force. Both sides are expected to meet during the next few days to try to avert a strike which could be extremely damaging to Irish Life.
The union's Irish secretary, Mr John Tierney, said after the ballot that "an overwhelming majority" was opposed to the proposals, even though they had been recommended by the union. MSF members attended a three hour mass meeting in Portlaoise yesterday to debate the formula before voting.
Mr Tierney said a lack of trust in management that it would honour the terms of the agreement was the primary reason for rejection of the proposals. The situation is now very critical according to Mr Tierney, but he added that "the next move is up to the company". If it is willing to remove the deadline for implementation of the new work practices then an escalation of the dispute can be avoided, he says.
A spokesman for Irish Life said last night that the company was "extremely disappointed" at the result of the ballot. "We will be reviewing the situation over the coming days with a view to moving things forward."
He said the company had "striven over eight months to reach agreement and had postponed three separate deadlines".
It "can't tolerate any further procrastination. If MSF has some new, imaginative way of addressing the problem we will look at it. But we have to progress the situation one way or the other."
The company was careful not to threaten an immediate renewal of disciplinary action, which could lead to what one union source described last night as "a rolling lock out", but alternatives are rapidly running out.