Staff at the British embassy in Dublin are to go on strike on Thursday following a rejection of an invitation to talks at the Labour Relations Commission by the ambassador, their union said.
The dispute centres on compulsory redundancies. The individuals affected are locally recruited managers dealing with UK trade and investment matters in Ireland. Between them they have 20 years service at the Embassy.
The LRC wrote to the union Unite and to the embassy last week offering to host talks in line with the agreement the union has with the embassy.
"Unite accepted the invitation last Tuesday but there are now no plans for talks ahead of the start of industrial action," a statement from Unite said.
"Over 40 Unite members employed at the embassy and at the ambassador's [David Reddaway] residence will withdraw their labour on Thursday and place official pickets at the entrances to both premises."
"We were ready and willing to go there [the Labour Relations Commission] but the ambassador has, late in the day, dismissed this final avenue towards a peaceful resolution."
The Dublin embassy is the only British embassy worldwide that recognises trade union membership. There has never previously been a strike
at the British embassy in Ireland.