Increased terms for Stena workers recommended
The Labour Court has recommended that the Stena Ferry Company should increase redundancy terms for 39 workers at its Dun Laoghaire operation, but rejected a SIPTU claim that they should be entitled to redeployment to Stena's Dublin Port centre
The redundancies were first announced in August for operational staff and in October for support services.
This followed the reduction of Dun Laoghaire services to summertime only, and the transfer of other services to Dublin Port.
Stena Line argued that because it is only operating from Dun Laoghaire between April and September, there is no work for the staff.
However, SIPTU had claimed that under agreements signed in 2007 and 2009, Stena had undertaken to redeploy Dun Laoghaire staff to Dublin Port in the event of a downturn.
The Dublin Port operation is now being run by a subcontractor, Ro Ro Services Dublin Ltd, which Stena said had no vacancies.
The Labour Court said the Stena should increase the redundancy term previously offered to staff.
In 2009, staff had received three weeks per year of service inclusive of statutory redundancy.
In addition, they had received ex-gratia payments of €18,000 plus an additional €500 per year of service.
However, the Labour Court recommmended that the €500 per year of service payment should be increased to €1,050 per year of service.
in addition it recommmended that the company should confirm in writing that displaced staff in Dun Laoghaire would be given first call on the jobs that will be created later this year when the seasonal High Speed ferry service commences - whether through direct employment or through a contracting arrangement.
The company should also engage with the union on terms and conditions for those jobs.
The ruling is binding on the union but not on Stena.
A Stena spokesperson said the company was considering the recommendation.
Source: RTE News
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