The Irish executive of the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union (ATGWU) is meeting in controversial circumstances this afternoon, following the suspension of two of the union’s senior officers last night.
District secretary Mr Mick O’Reilly and Northern Ireland organiser Mr Eugene McGloin were relieved of their duties following an internal audit, conducted by Ms Margaret Prosser the union’s British-based deputy general secretary, which is understood to be critical of the two officials.
The relationship between the ATGWU and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has been strained as a result of Mr O’Reilly’s continued criticism of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.
The union further annoyed the trade union establishment - including the biggest union in the State, SIPTU - when it agreed to represent members of the train drivers’ representative group the Irish Locomotive Drivers’ Association (ILDA).
A court ruling last year found the ILDA - led by Mr Brendan Ogle - was not entitled to represent drivers at Iarnrod Éireann.
The ATGWU was then threatened with legal action by Iarnrod Éireann when it represented the ILDA drivers in a dispute this year. The union also threatened to resign from ICTU over representing the the drivers.
It is believed these controversial positions are the reason behind the suspension of the two officials.
The union is unwilling to add anything further to its comments yesterday, in which it said the officials were on "precautionary suspension pending a disciplinary hearing".
However, a spokesman confirmed to ireland.comtoday that the "administrative audit" leading to the officials' suspension would relate to all matters concerning the union's operation in Ireland. Union policy and relations with its British headquarters and with the ICTU may be reasons for the suspension.
The situation with ILDA and the threat by ICTU to suspend the union are due for discussions at today’s meeting, which will be chaired by Mr Jimmy Elsby, who has come across from Britain to take over the running of the union from its Belfast office.
Both officials remain on full pay in the meantime, but their duties will be assumed by other union officers. They will be subject to disciplinary action if they speak about the matter in public.