Irish Ferries vessels sailing to and from Britain will be suspended tomorrow because of a 24-hour strike and one of the unions at the centre of the dispute is warning that more protacted stoppages are in the offing.
The dispute is over the company's plan to replace officers and seafarers with cheaper outsourced labour on its route to France which the union says could lead to nearly 300 people being made redundant. The company puts the figure at around 150.
Siptu, which represents many of the workers, accused management of a "high-handed" approach in cancelling a sailing last week because of fears that industrial action by crew members and officers could mean the MV Normandywould be stranded in Cherboug.
The vessel was then taken out of service for its annual dry dock maintenance service ahead of schedule.
Mr Paul Smyth of Siptu told ireland.comthat he remained willing to withdraw the strike threat and enter discussions through the Labour Relations Commission in exchange for the company postponing its plan.
"If not then more action of a longer duration could happen.
"We can't live with this [outsourcing] it would lead to the demise of Irish crewing ... this could become a very bitter dispute," Mr Smyth said.
Tomorrow's action begins at 6 a.m. and last for 24 hours. Routes affected are the Dublin - Holyhead cruise ferry; Dublin - Holyhead fast ferry and the Rosslare - Pembroke cruise ferry.
With greatly reduced tourist activity at this time of year hauliers will be those most affected.
Workers also plan to march from Liberty Hall to the gates of Leinster House as part of their protest tomorrow.
The union has appealed to the company to postpone its outsourcing plan - in return for a withdrawal of the strike threat - and enter discussions through the Labour Relations Commission (LRC).
Irish Ferries, however, claims the union has breached a legally binding agreement with it by calling the strike before the dispute has been aired at both the LRC and the Labour Court.