Union returns notices to embassy

Union representatives yesterday returned redundancy notices served on three employees of the British embassy in Dublin in protest…

Union representatives yesterday returned redundancy notices served on three employees of the British embassy in Dublin in protest, saying they were "extremely disappointed" embassy officials had decided to proceed with compulsory redundancy.  Mary Fitzgerald, Foreign Affairs Correspondent, reports.

The redundancy notices were issued on Thursday following the breakdown of talks between embassy officials and the trade union Unite.

The embassy employs 69 staff, most of whom are trade union members. It is the only British diplomatic mission in the world where workers are unionised.

Union members at the embassy voted 90 per cent in favour of strike action after the three employees, all senior officials, were told they were being made redundant earlier this month.

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All three work in the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) section at the embassy.

The unit provides advice and support to UK firms exporting to Ireland and Irish businesses investing in the UK.

In a statement, the embassy said that while it regretted the cuts, the move was in line with UKTI's strategy to shift additional resources to several "key emerging markets". Resource reductions, including redundancies, were also being made in other parts of UKTI's overseas network, it noted.

"There will still be an important role for the embassy's UKTI team in Dublin which, as in so many other global organisations, is being restructured to meet the needs of a mature market in a globalised economy," the statement added.

Officials said three UK-based staff in the UKTI section have also lost their jobs.

The embassy insisted it had followed consultation procedures and had fully complied with Irish labour law. "In addition, we have offered the three individuals concerned redundancy packages consistent with good employer practice," it added.

In a letter delivered to British ambassador David Reddaway yesterday, Unite regional officer Colm Quinlan said he was disappointed the embassy had ignored its request that redundancy notices not be served until the Labour Relations Commission had the opportunity to examine outstanding issues.

He complained that computer access for all three staff had been disabled, and they had been informed they could not enter the embassy grounds without prior arrangement from that date on.

Mr Quinlan said the redundancy notices were being returned to the embassy because Unite had advised the staff concerned that if they accepted the RP50 forms it may undermine their case if they were to take the issue to an Employment Appeals Tribunal.

"Our members remain available to work and do not accept that any period of redundancy notice has commenced," Mr Quinlan said in conclusion.

Union members are due to hold a one-day strike at the embassy on February 7th. Embassy officials say the action will not affect the public.