SIPTU members in the Rapid Action Packaging (RAP) plant in Gweedore have announced an escalation of their campaign of industrial action.
Workers will engage in a 24-hour work stoppage which will commence at 7.00 a.m. on Tuesday, 2nd October. This strike follows a 16-hour work stoppage at the Gaeltacht factory on Monday 24th September.
SIPTU representatives said the industrial action results from a refusal by RAP to respect a Labour Court recommendation concerning the workers’ right to be represented by their union.
SIPTU Organiser, Declan Ferry, said: “Our members were greatly encouraged by the support they received from the local community and political representatives during their work stoppage earlier this week.
“However, unfortunately due to the continued failure of the company to respect the Labour Court recommendation they have been left with no option but to escalate their industrial action by conducting a 24-hour work stoppage next week.
“The solidarity of workers in the plant and their growing support among the surrounding local communities will be key to bringing a speedy resolution to this dispute. It is unfortunate that management has attempted to undermine this by once again promoting an internal staff forum as a substitute for the workers exercising their right to effectively organise within their union.”
Ra Pacaisti has released one statement since the industrial dispute began. On 7th September, management said “no complaints or issues have been brought to the attention of the company” through their Employee Forum. The company called for clarification on specific elements of the workers’ ballot prior to the first strike.
In a statement today, Mr Ferry added: “Such staff bodies have time and again been shown to not amount to effective forums through which workers interests can be expressed and positive outcomes achieved. In this case that is something which has also been recognised by the Labour Court.”
SIPTU Manufacturing Division Organiser, Teresa Hannick, said:“SIPTU representatives remain willing to enter into immediate discussions with management to bring about a fair resolution to this dispute. A negotiated solution has always been the preferred approach of our members. However, if management maintains its intransigent approach our members will be left with no option but to further escalate their industrial action.”
