Strike ends as Dublin Port row goes to Labour Court

TEEU members began to picket on Tuesday morning over a decision by the port company to suspend nine shore-based fitters and electricians. Later the same day the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) sanctioned an all-out picket at Dublin Port.

The Ictu decision followed the result of a ballot by all the unions at the port in favour of supportive action with the TEEU. The all-out picket was scheduled to begin next Tuesday and would have meant that any union member affiliated to Ictu, including postmen, refuse collectors and ESB workers, would have refused to service the port.

The decision to go to the Labour Court has resulted in the picket being lifted and the return to work of all employees including the suspended workers. However, the maintenance workers will not undergo training on tugboats pending the decision of the court.

The dispute centres on TEEU claims the company suspended shore-based members for refusing work on board tugboats.

The company said the suspension resulted from the men's refusal to comply with a "reasonable management request" to undergo additional training. It said the request was in line with its agreements with the union.

TEEU regional secretary Arthur Hall thanked Siptu, the Seamen's Union of Ireland and Ictu for supporting the strike, but said he was glad the matter would now be handled by the Labour Court. "Common sense has ruled the day and mechanisms must be put in place to prevent such a dispute at the port happening again."

The port company said it was glad agreement could be reached with the TEEU to allow the matter to go to the Labour Court. "Dublin Port Company has agreed that the involvement of craft workers in the training on or operation of tugboats is suspended pending the outcome of a Labour Court investigation."