DOCKERS IN Cork yesterday refused to unload a cargo of timber from a freighter in solidarity with crew members who claim they have not been properly paid.
Meanwhile, the vessel is subject to a separate investigation by Customs and the Garda in relation to alleged cigarette smuggling.
Siptu's Ken Fleming, who represents the International Transport Workers Federation, said that the nine-man crew of the 15,000-tonne Defender have not been paid since January, with only two of the crew receiving money from the owners. He said he is prepared to go to the Admiralty Court if necessary to get the freighter impounded if the owners do not pay the money owed to its crew.
"Six of the crew joined in December and three joined earlier this month, but the only two to have been paid are the chief officer, who got $1,230 in January, and the cook, who got $100 in January. The crew are owed $92,000 in unpaid wages."
Mr Fleming said he had examined the ship's work records for the crew, which includes two Russians and seven Ukrainians, and found that one man was being paid a dollar an hour while the records did not match the hours the crew had worked over the past four months.
The Defender, which is registered in Cambodia, left Riga in Latvia five days ago with a cargo of fencing posts and arrived in Cork at 4am yesterday, where it was met at the South Jetties by Customs and Revenue officers.
A Customs official confirmed the Defenderhad been detained under Customs regulations on suspicion of being complicit in the smuggling of cigarettes following the discovery of 40,000 cigarettes on board.
The Irish Timesunderstands Customs officers later spoke to a Russian man in his 40s living in the Blackpool area of Cork when he called to meet the ship. In a follow-up search, they found a further 20,000 smuggled cigarettes.
A file in relation to the two seizures of cigarettes, which are eastern European brands and believed to be worth about €15,000, will be prepared by Customs officers and forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions, the official confirmed.
Port of Cork harbour master Capt Pat Farnan said he had met with union officials yesterday.
"We're comfortable with the ship not sailing until these issues are resolved - we certainly don't condone crew being left unpaid."
