A threat of a strike at Independent Newspapers receded last night in spite of a vote by several unions in favour of industrial action.
Unions representing office and printing staff voted by a narrow majority to strike over the company's threat to sack people if it failed to achieve its target of 205 voluntary redundancies by today.
The potential effectiveness of a strike was immediately undermined, however, by two developments. Members of the National Union of Journalists, who are not directly affected by the redundancy programme, voted by a slight majority not to support a strike.
In addition, it emerged the company was likely to achieve almost all, if not the full number, of voluntary redundancies required by today's closing date. An informed source said last night that 203 staff had accepted the severance package, leaving the company just two short of its target.
Management had threatened to implement compulsory redundancies next week if fewer than 205 people applied for the package. Those sacked in that circumstance would receive statutory payments only, it warned.
With compulsory redundancies now unlikely, unions could find it difficult to justify a strike. The three unions directly involved - SIPTU, the GPMU and the TEEU - are to meet this afternoon to consider the position.
They still have the option of serving a week's strike notice on the company, claiming it has breached agreed procedures in the way it has forced redundancies through. It is considered more likely, however, that the unions will seek a commitment from the company that it will honour all agreements in future.
Such a pledge by the company would also improve the atmosphere between employers and unions in advance of national pay talks, due to begin next week. The Independent group is a member of the employers' body, IBEC, and its refusal to attend the Labour Court for talks has angered union leaders.
Mr Peter McLoone, assistant general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, drew applause at the IMPACT conference yesterday when he accused the company of treating its workers in a "scandalous" fashion and said all unions had a right to be concerned.
In response, a company spokesman told The Irish Times it had exhausted the industrial relations process. It had to proceed with its plan to ensure it remained competitive and continued to provide job security and generous terms and conditions for staff who remained.
Mr Séamus Dooley, the NUJ's Irish secretary, said he was disappointed at the decision by the journalists' union not to support a strike. A total of 101 NUJ members at Independent group voted in favour of supporting the action, but 104 voted against. Mr Dooley said the union would consider the position in consultation with other unions in the ICTU.
Management at the company has said it has a contingency plan in place in the event of a strike but declined to discuss the details yesterday.
A source told The Irish Times that the plan would have involved using senior managers to print the Irish Independent and Sunday Independent newspapers at its Citywest plant, while production of the Evening Herald would have ceased for the duration of the dispute.
The dispute arose from the company's decision to outsource functions carried out by clerical, administrative, telesales, finance and general operative staff. It offered a severance package ranging from €40,000 for employees with short service to €260,000 for those with the company for 40 years.
