Unite in Scotland pledges support to Dublin dockers in bitter
dispute over sackings
4th September 2009
Scotland's biggest union, Unite, has offered its support to dock
workers in Dublin caught up in a bitter dispute with their
employers, Peel.
The support comes amid growing fears that the company is using
dock workers from other ports, including ports in Scotland, to
break the strike at Peel's dockyard in Dublin.
Some of the Peel workers in Dublin were dismissed earlier this
summer as a result of taking action against job losses, unfair
redundancy processes and proposals to cut pay and conditions.
However, the strike continues and is now entering its 10th
week.
Dockers gathered yesterday in Glasgow to be updated on the
dispute in Dublin by representatives from Irish union Siptu. Unite
has become increasingly concerned that employment standards across
the UK dock industry have been coming under attack from a few
employers who are seeking to slash costs by cutting jobs and wages.
Unite is determined to ensure that Peel's bad practice cannot be
replicated at UK docks.
Commenting on the situation, Jackson Cullinane, Unite's deputy
regional secretary in Scotland, said: "We are hearing deeply
worrying reports that dock workers are being ferried into Dublin
from Glasgow, Greenock, Hunsterston and elsewhere in the UK in a
bid by Peel to break this industrial action.
"Some of the scab workforce is apparently being put up in Dublin
hotels at considerable expense. We also understand that they are
brought into the dock yard under escort because Peel know full well
that what it is doing is inflammatory and will not help bring this
dispute to a successful resolution.
"Peel is seeking to break the workers' union so that it can
continue na unimpeded race to the bottom on employment standards.
Unite will never allow this to happen, which is why we will be
exploring every potential avenue in our efforts to end Peel's
shameful behaviour and are offering our assistance to the striking
workers."
Unite is now gathering evidence on the use of strike breakers by
the company, and is exploring the legalities of Peel's actions.
Unite dockers from Scotland will also look to join the sacked Peel
workers on a forthcoming demonstration in Dublin.
ENDS
For further information, please contact Jackson Cullinane on
07810 157 906 or Pauline (Unite press office) on 07976 832 861
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