How the dispute at Irish Ferries turns out will tell us much about the future of Irish Trade Unionism. SIPTU President Jack O'Connor has described the dispute over management plans to replace staff with workers earning one third of the current wages as “the greatest test that the social partnership process has faced in the 18 years of its existence".
The most daunting aspect of all that is taking place is the position being adopted by IBEC. Its Director General, Turlough O’Sullivan, has refused to rule out similar approaches by other employers, citing competition as the reason. If this naked pursuit of profit maximisation regardless of the social cost is part of the IBEC agenda then we have to ask if there is any point in remaining in the process.
Brendan Howlin of the Labour Party has rightly pointed out that it is not just the Irish maritime industry that is threatened but Irish employment and labour standards in general. In an article in today's Irish Times entitled "Flying the Flag of Greed", Mary Raftery shows the utterly reprehensible nature of Irish Ferries. Bertie Ahern's anger in the Dáil yesterday appeared genuine enough but will the Government do anything?
Unlike the recent ESB strike, whose workers are easily portrayed as "labour aristocrats", the cause of the workers at Irish Ferries could win public sympathy as the issues can be simply presented, easily understood and should strike a chord with most people. Threatening the future of Partnership is not necessarily the most credible weapon, at least as far as the leadership of the Trade Unions is concerned. They have been used to their seat at the "top table" for so long it is doubtful if they have ever really thought out a coherent alternative.
If nothing can be done about Irish Ferries then the trade unions might just as well abandon the pretence of being in any way political and turn themselves wholly into service organizations that provide members with health insurance and cheap holiday deals and a range of discounts to meet their shopping needs. At least they'd be doing something practical for their members. Industrial relations activities will then be confined to individual grievances that sometimes cannot be resolved through local partnership structures.
This is basically what happens with the free market. It is not just about cheaper goods but also cheaper labour. Its only right that they do it. Everyone is saying it is terrible but is anyone willing to pay that little bit extra for there ferry ticket to keep the Irish Workers. Of course not.
Posted by: simon | October 02, 2005 at 02:45 PM