Lessons Learned from Irish Ferries dispute

Issued : Wednesday 21 December, 2005

The recent Irish Ferries debacle could well prove to be a turning point in industrial relations within this country. For the first time in many years, tens of thousands of people showed up to support a union-organised protest. Not since the first of the VAT marches have people taken to the streets in such large numbers, in support of the unions. Ordinary people across the country were struck by the inequality at the heart of the issue, and people abandoned their workplaces for extended lunch breaks (and more) all across the country. Despite the threat to make deductions from their salaries, hundreds of members of the various teaching unions showed up to demonstrate their solidarity.

80,000 people marched in Dublin, 15,000 in Waterford, 5,000 in each of Galway and Cork - nationally, the numbers were astonishing. But it's worth having a look at the end result. Minimum wages have been guaranteed for the future Irish Ferries staff - in excess of double the wages originally offered by Irish Ferries management. Staff who have no desire to take voluntary redundancy will keep their positions. However, the ships will be re-flagged to Cyprus, calling into question the length of time Irish Ferries will continue to recognise this agreement. What was achieved by the unions, with the support of The Labour Party, Labour Youth, others on the left and, most importantly, the people of Ireland, was extremely impressive. However, it reinforces the need for the existing social partnership model to be abandoned, and this issue to be examined in a new light. As Labour Youth affirmed at our recent Conference, we believe it is high time that this model be abandoned. Now it appears that more of the unions have begun to realise that the day of reckoning for social partnership has arrived. Labour Youth will, I'm sure, continue to lead the campaigning for a move past this model, in the same way that we did for the Irish Ferries protests.

For the two days directly leading up to the National Day of Protest called for by ICTU, members of Labour Youth campaigned tirelessly to drum up support for this protest. Members in Dublin held six separate leafleting campaigns over these two days, devoting their mornings, lunch breaks and evenings to standing in the pouring rain and freezing cold, handing out 5,000 leaflets in the process. Other members made hundreds of phone calls to get as many people to show up on the day as possible. Around the country, in Cork, Carlow, Derry, Galway, members were undertaking similar activities, while one member was valiantly covering the Islington area of London! To all of the members who assisted with the campaigns, and who showed up for marches all around the country, ICTU have requested that I extend their thanks for all Labour Youth's work on this issue. Once again, let me add my voice to ICTU's!

Neil Ward

Vice-Chair/Campaigns Officer
Labour Youth