Catering services at Fairyhouse racecourse, Co Meath were disrupted this week because of unofficial action by 13 casual bar staff who picketed the course. The worst disruption was on Easter Monday, when the workers involved walked off the job an hour after racing began.
Initially some of the other catering and tote staff refused to pass the picket, thinking it was an official SIPTU dispute. However, they resumed working when they learned the picketers were not members of any union.
Yesterday their employer, Mr Paul Carey of Masterchefs, said the company was willing to talk to the staff involved about their grievances but they had refused to attend talks. All had previously worked for Peter O'Brien Catering Ltd and it was a prerequisite of Masterchefs "that they accept that we decide which bars they worked in".
SIPTU catering branch secretary Mr Frank O'Malley said he called to the course on Monday after he heard reports of a dispute. He said the picketers seemed to have a problem over extra security arrangements being operated by Masterchefs in the bars.
He addressed these concerns with management but the individuals concerned were not satisfied and, he said, it was unclear what their fundamental grievance was. He said they did not appear to be members of any union and had retained a solicitor to represent them.