Irish Ferries workers are expected to defer a strike planned for tomorrow, writes Padraig Yeates. The workers have been advised by their union, SIPTU, that the threatened action could be in breach of the 1990 Industrial Relations Act. The company has warned the union that it will take legal action if the strike goes ahead.
The workers voted for strike action over the dismissal of a shop steward last April. This followed an internal investigation by the company into an allegation by another crew member that she had been raped. There was also a Garda investigation, but no charges were preferred.
The former shop steward has denied the allegation and is expected to attend today's meeting. He said yesterday that he would abide by the decision of his colleagues.
The company has offered to attend the Employment Appeals Tribunal or the Labour Court. The court has invited both sides to a hearing and this option is expected to be accepted at the meeting.