Strike at Gealtacht company

STAFF AT a Gaeltacht community development company have begun strike action over pay cuts and a decision by management to serve…

STAFF AT a Gaeltacht community development company have begun strike action over pay cuts and a decision by management to serve four staff with redundancy notices.

The 10 staff employed at the Connemara offices of Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta picketed their office in Rosmuc yesterday, supported by trade union Siptu. Union organiser Diane Jackson said the firm’s “unilateral action” left it with no alternative but to ballot members on strike action.

The company was awarded the contract for delivery of the 2007-2013 rural development programme in the Gaeltacht regions.

The redundancy notice was served on February 23rd. Siptu says this was without prior notice to or negotiation with the union.

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The union is seeking the withdrawal of redundancy notices so the parties can “engage in meaningful discussions” to “find a satisfactory resolution to the issues”.

The company’s chief executive, Gearóid de Faoite, declined to comment yesterday.

Lorna Siggins

Lorna Siggins

Lorna Siggins is the former western and marine correspondent of The Irish Times