The row over a redundancy deal for Thomas Cook workers showed no sign of a resolution today as unions called in the Labour Relations Commission.
Talks on a new pay-off stalled with the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) claiming the company was attempting to hold out until it gives the stock market a trading update next Thursday.
The Labour Relations Commission has been asked to try and end the dispute on Monday.
Gerry Doherty, TSSA general secretary, said no new redundancy offer has been put forward by the company.
“We were expecting a new offer after the company told the High Court it would re-open talks in good faith but all we got was a lecture on the dangers of rewarding staff who had taken illegal action,” he said.
“Any new offer would have to be approved by the company board sometime next week. It seems to me that they are more interested in impressing their friends in the City of London than rewarding their loyal staff in Dublin.”
Thomas Cook originally offered staff a pay-off of five weeks wages for every year of service. Up to 70 staff will be affected by the closure of the High Street stores in Dublin after 125 years.
Up to 30 protesting workers were removed from the Thomas Cook offices on Grafton Street on Tuesday and later agreed to abide by a court order and not restart the occupation.
Talks began on a new redundancy deal on Wednesday but the union claims Thomas Cook have not offered workers a revised deal.
Thomas Cook claimed the Irish stores were closed after suffering losses of about €1 million per year.
Pete Constanti, chief executive of Mainstream Travel - Thomas Cook UK & Ireland, said the union was continuing to deepen the dispute.
“Despite the shocking, outrageous and illegal actions and behaviour of staff and the TSSA Union, we have entered into further talks now that the unlawful possession of our property has ceased,” Mr Constanti said.
“It is regrettable that the unreasonable and unacceptable terms demanded by the union have directly impacted and potentially disadvantaged staff.
“It is disappointing that the TSSA continue to antagonise this situation through the media after just two days, given that the timing of these talks is directly as a result of their actions.”
It is understood the company trading statement due next week is arranged by the board while local management are dealing with the Irish issue.