The management at Irish Ferries has taken highly provocative action by sending security guards on board its vessels operating on the Irish Sea. This follows its rejection of Labour Court recommendations and its determination to bring in cheap labour from eastern Europe to replace 543 seafaring staff.
Its behaviour has flouted established industrial relations practices and drawn criticism from across the political spectrum, beginning with the Taoiseach.
This situation requires cool heads and a rational response. A call by Siptu president Jack O'Connor for the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to organise a national day of protest because of the dispute is designed to harness public opinion. But it serves no useful purpose in industrial relations terms. The same holds true in relation to a threat by the union to blockade Irish ports. Public and official sentiment is absolutely clear and it lies with the workers. Widespread industrial and social disruption could damage that solidarity.
Irish Ferries is a special case. Because it operates on the high seas, the company is entitled to offer pay and working condition under international maritime law that would not be allowed in this State. Last year - following an industrial dispute - it outsourced employment on its French shipping routes. It now appears determined to follow some of its competitors and cut costs in a similar fashion on the Irish Sea.
The manner in which Irish Ferries conducted its industrial relations has damaged its image. Attempts to justify its actions by claiming the trade unions refused to negotiate are not convincing. It unilaterally breached an agreement that was to run for another two years; introduced a redundancy package without consultation and then rejected Labour Court recommendations.
The trade unions have difficulties of their own. The Seamen's Union of Ireland accepted the redundancy package. And while Siptu is virulently opposed, an estimated 90 per cent of the workforce have already opted for redundancy, rather than serve under reduced pay and conditions. Concerns exist that other employers may take a lead from Irish Ferries and replace Irish workers with cheap foreign labour. The company has been represented as the face of an unacceptable future, where industrial relations are dictated by "thuggery, brutality and the law of the jungle". Such intemperate language serves no useful purpose. The only way of resolving current difficulties is through negotiations. And those should begin immediately.
The dispute must not be allowed to sour social partnership relations and prevent talks on a new national agreement. In the face of increasing international competition, a new deal would be of considerable benefit to the economy. At the same time, negotiations with Government and employers could enable trade unions to secure the undertakings they require, in terms of legislation and employment practices, to protect their members.