THE TRADE union representing workers from a Dublin port company who have been on strike for more than 10 weeks has pledged to continue its protests until the dispute is resolved.
Siptu said it would support about 30 staff from cargo handling company Marine Terminals Limited (MTL), who have been on strike since July 3rd, until jobs are saved and an improved redundancy package is offered.
The striking workers claim the company is attempting to implement compulsory redundancies and cuts to their pay, terms and conditions without agreement.
The company has asked the union to recognise that “for the port of Dublin to remain competitive in a deteriorating market, changes must be made”.
Siptu branch organiser Oliver McDonagh said 22 of the striking workers had now been made redundant and that the union wanted the company to meet it at the Labour Court in an attempt to reach an agreement.
“We’ve been attempting to save jobs all along,” he said. “The company have been snipping people off the end of the list which means the highest number of people that will return to work if the company has its way is eight.”
Mr McDonagh was speaking at a protest in support of the MTL workers outside the headquarters of Deutsche Bank in Dublin yesterday. Deutsche Bank has a stake of more than 40 per cent in MTL’s parent company, Peel Ports, through its real estate and infrastructure management arm.
“What we’re hoping to achieve by coming here is to impress on Deutsche Bank, and members of its wider group, that they should recognise and adhere to the industrial relations procedures of the State,” Mr McDonagh said.
About 25 supporters of the striking workers participated in the lunchtime demonstration, at which fliers detailing Deutsche Bank’s links to the strike were distributed. A Deutsche Bank spokeswoman said she had no comment.
In a statement, MTL said it remained open to discussions but that earlier negotiations made clear “that the union side is not committed to genuine negotiations on modernising working practices and reducing costs.”
