A threatened strike which would have scuttled this year's Galway Races was suspended in the early hours yesterday. The suspension came when workers employed by the company which erects the tents and marquees at the Ballybrit racecourse agreed to postpone their action.
Strike notice issued by SIPTU, which is seeking the right to negotiate on behalf of some 20 employees at Western Pleasure Tuam Ltd, was due to expire on Thursday. Pickets were to be placed immediately at Ballybrit, just days before Galway race week begins, next Monday.
Had it happened, this would have affected deliveries of food and drink to the racecourse.
Labour Court intervention, however, with assurances by senior industrial relations officer Mr Damien Cannon that the company's managing director, Mr John Fahy, would be available for a hearing on the recognition issue on August 14th, finally lifted the threat to the races.