Sinn Féin supports Docklands occupation- McDonagh

Sinn Féin supports Docklands occupation- McDonagh


Sinn Féin supported today's direct action taken by the Port Workers Solidarity Group in support of striking employees at the MTL site in Ringsend. Nineteen SIPTU union members at Marine Terminals were made redundant earlier this year when new management brought in contract workers from Britain and – at the same time – demanded that remaining workers sign new contracts agreeing to pay cuts of between 14% and 18% or be laid off.

Talks aimed at resolving the dispute broke down when the company pulled out of talks at the Labour Relations Commission.

SIPTU has accused the company of importing ex-paratroopers from the British Army under the guise of security to intimidate workers.

SIPTU official Oliver McDonagh said the new management is now seeking 37 redundancies, offering a severance package of just two weeks’ pay per year of service in addition to statutory entitlements. The last redundancy programme at the terminal had seen workers get six weeks’ pay plus statutory entitlements.

Speaking during the occupation of the site Sinn Féin spokesperson Councillor Mattew McDonagh from Clondalkin, congratulated the organisers of the march and rally and he demanded the the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan intervene and "ensure the workers at the MTL site receive a fair and proper redundancy package. The redundancy offers to date are a total insult. The Tánaiste/Minister must protect the rights of Irish workers. Sinn Féin will continue to actively support these workers and we will continue to support actions like today's untill the dispute is brought to a successful conclusion."