Irish Ferries Dispute Goes to Labor Court

According to an Irish Independent report, the Labor Court will hold hearings into the dispute over Irish Ferries' plans to replace its seafaring staff with cheaper labor from eastern Europe. Talks between company management and the main union SIPTU broke down last month and the row is now threatening the future of social partnership. Irish Ferries is allowed to replace its workers with cheaper crews from abroad because Irish labor laws do not apply on the seas. It is planning to pay its new crews less than the minimum wage and give them less favorable working conditions than those currently in existence, according to the report. The company claims the move is necessary to protect its profitability in the face of increased competition. Source: The Irish Independent