A GROUP of up to 60 gathered in support of a picket at Baltimore in west Cork yesterday as the crew of a ferry staged a strike over pay cuts.
Four crew members of the Cape Clear ferry service staged a one- day strike over pay cuts that Siptu has branded “illegal”.
The crew of the Naomh Ciarán II was due to return to work this morning but the case is to be referred to the Labour Relations Commission, Siptu branch officer Eddie Mullins said. The owner of the ferry, Ciarán O’Driscoll, is due to meet two crew members this afternoon to engage in company disciplinary proceedings.
“I am meeting them for a disciplinary hearing, as per normal company legislation. I want to hear their reasons for not coming to work yesterday,” Mr O’Driscoll said.
Mr O’Driscoll won the five-year €1.2 million State tender in 2007 to operate the year-round service from March 2007 to 2012.
Mr Mullins said Mr O’Driscoll refused to engage with Siptu and no resolution had yet been reached.
“I spoke briefly with the owner, but he has refused to engage with us on the issue, he does not recognise us and will not negotiate. I intend to get on to the LRC to ask for an intervention in an effort to resolve this.
“We will be considering our position over the coming days,” Mr Mullins said.
Mr O’Driscoll claims the decision to cut pay was made as a result of heavy losses.