MTL Dublin, Dock workers dispute

theroadahead

Peel ports, a multi billion pound company from Britain bought MTL ( marine terminals limited ) in south bank quay, Dublin, 2 years ago. MTL is probably the largest lo lo company in Ireland and the most profitable. When Peel ports took over they immediately started to implement changes by making management redundant. They then brought in their own management from their terminal in Belfast, he was accompanied by 24 hour security, 2 men on him at all times. These "security" are believed to be ex-British army special forces. Once Peel had established total control of the MTL, they set about doing things their way. They refused to engage in talks with the union SIPTU and went straight for the kill on the workforce, axeing 13 machine/crane operatives and one cleaner in one fowl swoop, inviting them in for an appeal which was farcical to say the least as these workers were handpicked by management, regardless of how good or bad they were at their jobs. The remaining machine/crane men were offered new contracts with a minnimum 18% pay cut and terrible terms and conditions that would force them to cut all ties with the union and leave them vulnerable to be made redundant or sacked. With the union fighting to get the 13 men and one woman reinstated the company went ahead and issued another 9 machine/crane operators with letter's of redundancy which they hope to have implemented by 10th August, with absolutely no negotiating or contact with SIPTU from MTL there was only one option left for the dock workers left to take, "all out strike". They have been on strike since 3rd of July, with only 6 SCABS passing the picket and the rest of the work being done by more SCABS from other ports owned by Peel, Mersey docks, Clyde port and Belfast to name a few. The strike at MTL has got little or no media coverage due to the fact that the electricians strike happened at the same time and overshadowed it.

LegacyUser

Ill take 60k a year any day. Been on a three day week for six months. Threatned and abused at thr gate. Read the news you sheep.......SIPTU is dead

Joeyjay

it's bloody disgraceful!!!!!!!!! hopefully the company will see sense......... please show your support

gerrycollins

nothing wrong there.

A company does not have to reconise a union.

Its their company which can issue new contracts to existing employees.

its a recession jobs are been lost.

theroadahead

It's bully boy tactics, MTL are a thriving company making massive profit's and now they're using the recession as an excuse to axe staff and bring in cheap labour, this recession is a capitalist companies dream!
Also they are sending ships that they own to other terminals in Dublin port to make the MTL yard look quiter and emptier than it actualy is, as soon as they've got enough people gone then they will bring them back, it's disgusting!

mtldockers

gerrycollins wrote: »

nothing wrong there.

A company does not have to reconise a union.

Its their company which can issue new contracts to existing employees.

its a recession jobs are been lost.

Yes you are right but if you knew the facts you would know that the company under TUPE would have to keep to the original agreements which state clearly that all negotiations have to go through the union so your point is void there.

Also yes companies can issue new contracts but BY LAW they have to negotiate with the individual if not through the union about any changes in the terms and conditions of your employment so again your point is void here.

Finally yes the union accepted that redundancies would be needed and again under TUPE the company had to negotiate all redundancies through the union which again they did not do so strike three to you, all your points are void!

If you are going to make comments on this dispute please get all your facts straight first as it is people like you who are making this more difficult for the people who are out on the picket!!

LegacyUser

I drive a crane in Portroe and my basic pay is nearly half of whats on offer in MTL. Having said that I am glad to have any Job at all. Thats after working for 20 years in the docks

donkey balls

It's bully boy tactics, MTL are a thriving company making massive profit's and now they're using the recession as an excuse to axe staff and bring in cheap labour, this recession is a capitalist companies dream!


agree 100% these english companies come over and speak down to you as if your dirt i had this happen to me in my last company they were saying this is how we do things in england and i woukd piont out that there operating in ireland.
and i have since heard that they imposed a 10% wage cut on their drivers while posting pretax profits of 25 million

the_syco

mtldockers wrote: »

Yes you are right but if you knew the facts you would know that the company under TUPE would have to keep to the original agreements which state clearly that all negotiations have to go through the union so your point is void there.

I've no idea what TUPE is, so could you explain it?

theroadahead

TUPE stands for the "Transfer of undertakings, protection of employees" Google it and you will find out all you need to know, Cheers.

mtldockers

theroadahead wrote: »

TUPE stands for the "Transfer of undertakings, protection of employees" Google it and you will find out all you need to know, Cheers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfer_of_Undertakings_(Protection_of_Employment)_Regulations_2006

this explains it here

LegacyUser

I have been in and out of MTL over the past 4 or 5 years. There is a whole other side to this argument. I earn half the wage working double the hours of the offer reported to be on the table. What angers me is the failure to mention a lot of underhand goings on within this port in the past. Over the past three weeks we have recieved a much better service with no damage or "preferential treatment" which was common place on a daily basis.

Remember!! There are two sides to every story, I don't wan't to see anyone losing their jobs. Keep an open mind.

kravmaga

theroadahead wrote: »

Peel ports, a multi billion pound company from Britain bought MTL ( marine terminals limited ) in south bank quay, Dublin, 2 years ago. MTL is probably the largest lo lo company in Ireland and the most profitable. When Peel ports took over they immediately started to implement changes by making management redundant. They then brought in their own management from their terminal in Belfast, he was accompanied by 24 hour security, 2 men on him at all times. These "security" are believed to be ex-British army special forces. Once Peel had established total control of the MTL, they set about doing things their way. They refused to engage in talks with the union SIPTU and went straight for the kill on the workforce, axeing 13 machine/crane operatives and one cleaner in one fowl swoop, inviting them in for an appeal which was farcical to say the least as these workers were handpicked by management, regardless of how good or bad they were at their jobs. The remaining machine/crane men were offered new contracts with a minnimum 18% pay cut and terrible terms and conditions that would force them to cut all ties with the union and leave them vulnerable to be made redundant or sacked. With the union fighting to get the 13 men and one woman reinstated the company went ahead and issued another 9 machine/crane operators with letter's of redundancy which they hope to have implemented by 10th August, with absolutely no negotiating or contact with SIPTU from MTL there was only one option left for the dock workers left to take, "all out strike". They have been on strike since 3rd of July, with only 6 SCABS passing the picket and the rest of the work being done by more SCABS from other ports owned by Peel, Mersey docks, Clyde port and Belfast to name a few. The strike at MTL has got little or no media coverage due to the fact that the electricians strike happened at the same time and overshadowed it.

Why dont you contact the national newspapers for media attention.
I am sure some journalist worth his weight would be interested in this story.

mtldockers

blueeyedboy wrote: »

Why dont you contact the national newspapers for media attention.
I am sure some journalist worth his weight would be interested in this story.

Believe me they all know! We have contacted them all but got little or no response.

theroadahead

Thanks for the suggestion blue eyed boy, but as MTL Dockers has said, they all know. The Irish Times has published a few articles on it, if you wanna know more about our issues, links to the newspaper articles or a background into Peel ports log onto www.mtldockers.com .
"Haulier", I dont know where your getting your information from as we werent offered 60k, even if we were we could'nt have signed those contracts as the t&c's in them were outrageous and would've forced us to sever our tie's with the union and leave us open to be made redundant, in fact it actually says in the contract that if they are not busy they can make you redundant at any time!
We are all reasonable people on strike, all we want is for Peel ports to negotiate with the union, surely thats not too much to ask in this day and age????

gerrycollins

mtldockers wrote: »

Yes you are right but if you knew the facts you would know that the company under TUPE would have to keep to the original agreements which state clearly that all negotiations have to go through the union so your point is void there.

Also yes companies can issue new contracts but BY LAW they have to negotiate with the individual if not through the union about any changes in the terms and conditions of your employment so again your point is void here.

Finally yes the union accepted that redundancies would be needed and again under TUPE the company had to negotiate all redundancies through the union which again they did not do so strike three to you, all your points are void!

If you are going to make comments on this dispute please get all your facts straight first as it is people like you who are making this more difficult for the people who are out on the picket!!

is TUPE in irish law yet?

mdebets

gerrycollins wrote: »

is TUPE in irish law yet?

It's Irish Law since 2003. See here

mtldockers

gerrycollins wrote: »

is TUPE in irish law yet?

Yes it has been for quite some time.

LegacyUser

Haulier wrote: »

I have been in and out of MTL over the past 4 or 5 years. There is a whole other side to this argument. I earn half the wage working double the hours of the offer reported to be on the table. What angers me is the failure to mention a lot of underhand goings on within this port in the past. Over the past three weeks we have recieved a much better service with no damage or "preferential treatment" which was common place on a daily basis.

Remember!! There are two sides to every story, I don't wan't to see anyone losing their jobs. Keep an open mind.

Yes there are 2 sides to every story but i know which side your on, when did people stop supporting a workers right to proper working conditions, proper pay (we do still live in RIP OFF IRELAND) this is were Peel Ports are telling the drivers a pack of lies, its not about the money its not only about the redundancies its about how a company as huge as Peel Ports feel they can use their bullying tactics and force people to signing contracts agreeing to terms and conditions that have not been negotiated with a "take it or Leave it" attitude also should you sign the contract you are not safe either they also reserve the right to change it at any time, its already happening up north they signed the contract a few months ago and agreed to a shift pattern which is completely unsocialable to people with families some men working most weekends and "on Call " for the rest and then told recently that no that does not suit peel ports we have to change it again and this is only one of the problems that exist there are many more like these and thats without even touching the pay cuts or redundancies. People need to realise that these companies are using the recession to frighten their staff with job losses therefore people are afraid to stand up for their rights

Listen to your ancestors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The employers cannot carry on industry nor accumulate profits if they have not got the good will of the workers or their acquiescence in carrying on such industry.
"James Larkin "

"Connolly Urges Strikers to Stand Firm"
Contributors: GD, TOR.




Introduction. Connolly was imprisoned for riotous conduct during the strike and met many people who had been jailed for membership of the Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union, which only increased support for the Union. He discusses strikers’ attitudes to the lockout, praised their determination to remain on strike for as long as necessary, and encouraged them to stand firm until the end. Connolly described the lockout as a struggle for rights, and a battle for survival, in which workers chose to face hardship, hunger, and imprisonment, in the hope that success would bring long term benefits: better wages, and better working conditions. He praised those who united in the sympathetic strike, and remarked that if their actions caused chaos, and brought all business to a standstill, then it might achieve their goals, and discourage employers from mistreating their workers. To this end, Connolly argued that unions must put all their energy and money into winning the strike to protect the rights of each individual, the ideal for a socialist society. Ultimately, he hoped that all–out industrial conflict would change the nature of politics by dividing society into workers and employers, and in the event of workers’ victory, lay the foundation for a reorganisation of society along socialist lines.

gerrycollins

mtldockers wrote: »

Yes it has been for quite some time.

Thank you didnt have time to look it up this morning had to dash off.

interesting stuff, maybe they are just rocking the boat considering some people might not do anything and are thankful they still have a job.

they are picking a fight really up to you guys to fight back.

mtldockers

gerrycollins wrote: »

Thank you didnt have time to look it up this morning had to dash off.

interesting stuff, maybe they are just rocking the boat considering some people might not do anything and are thankful they still have a job.

they are picking a fight really up to you guys to fight back.

rock the boat is a bit of an understatement, they have completely ignored the industrial relations process we have here as when they bought out Liverpool, Glasgow and Belfast docks they walked all over the unions and dockers there and got what they wanted. We are not going to let that happen to us!!

gerrycollins

mtldockers wrote: »

rock the boat is a bit of an understatement, they have completely ignored the industrial relations process we have here as when they bought out Liverpool, Glasgow and Belfast docks they walked all over the unions and dockers there and got what they wanted. We are not going to let that happen to us!!

Personally i detest unions but i cannot stand anyone taking working people for granted good luck in your fight.

donkey balls

Personally i detest unions but i cannot stand anyone taking working people for granted good luck in your fight

they are a nescecery evil i have seen people hide behind them as they where lasy f**kers and i have seen people who work and dont cause hassle in the company need them due to mgmt bullying

LegacyUser

Seems 'haulier' has more than a chip on his shoulder about dock workers..
Sure why dont we all roll over and take what's being dished out - "because there's a recession on" Maybe thats what has your 'proffession' where it is now - under cutting each other for years working outside hours for extra pay etc etc...Taco graph's being ignored.. Best of luck to you at MTL....

LegacyUser

Unregistered wrote: »

I drive a crane in Portroe and my basic pay is nearly half of whats on offer in MTL. Having said that I am glad to have any Job at all. Thats after working for 20 years in the docks

On my understanding last agreements reached for portroe crane drivers was 50,000 basic and for what would be considered old dockers have been known to exceed 90,000 as a result of overtime. (weary of 20 years service)

gerrycollins

donkey balls wrote: »

Personally i detest unions but i cannot stand anyone taking working people for granted good luck in your fight

they are a nescecery evil i have seen people hide behind them as they where lasy f**kers and i have seen people who work and dont cause hassle in the company need them due to mgmt bullying

i know hear you loud and clear but wishful thinking that all management are fair/reasonable towards their staff

mtldockers

gerrycollins wrote: »

i know hear you loud and clear but wishful thinking that all management are fair/reasonable towards their staff

That has been our problem from the start, the management have been completely unfair and unreasonable throughout this whole process and that is our major gripe.

LegacyUser

Unregistered wrote: »

On my understanding last agreements reached for portroe crane drivers was 50,000 basic and for what would be considered old dockers have been known to exceed 90,000 as a result of overtime. (weary of 20 years service)

I think you are mixing portroe up with the shipside crane drivers in DFT(Old B&I). Believe me i earn nearly half of whats on offer and i believe acrew was put on weekend work last year on nearly 70,000 a year. Some young lads with only a months training.Great work if you can get it. No ship in on a saturday night, get paid to stay at home. 3 12 hour shifts a week for 70 grand. No wonder they are going mad now they have to do a bit......One of the drivers used to work here and he was always bragging about how handy the shift was....FACT>>>>

LegacyUser

whether any of us agree or disagree with whatever wages are being paid or alleged to be paid is not the issue.

As I see it as an outsider, any employee who wishes to can be a member of a union under Irish Law and is entitled to be represented by the union of his choice.

Peel Ports would appear to be trouncing over workers rights long established in this country.. Believe me other employers are carefully watching how this whole matter plays out and this could be a real 'test case' for SIPTU and unions in Ireland in general..

I cannot believe how silent and ineffective SIPTU and ICTU have been since this strike has happened. It would appear only people working in the environs of Dublin Port know that there is indeed a strike on

To the picketers on the gate, you really need to push the union to get some publicity and some real action going or Peel Ports will just leave you standing at the gate watching the trucks going in and out till you can no longer afford to stay out.. Once the hauliers rolled by the picket it has as such lost any effectiveness as it is not hurting Peels pockets or their relationship with their customers.

Maybe you should take the picket to the river in boats and prevent vessels from docking at the berth?

Neptune

LegacyUser

It worries me to read comments from "Haulier" and the "portroe crane operator" attempting to confuse the issue of salary/wages (whether good or bad) with a shocking attack on a group of workers previously agreed upon working terms and conditions, duly agreed upon by both parties, employers and employees at the time.

It is an outrage that workers from other ports (from outside this juristiction) within the MTL operation are being exploited to act as "strike breaking" labour. In truth these men lose the most. Their inability to recognise the indecency of being used as "scab" labour is unfortunate because if they could recognise this abuse of their rights they wouldn't be here. I wonder how many of these men will brag to their kith and kin of their strike breaking actions here in Dublin.

This company cannot be allowed to win in this dispute using this style or behaviour because if they do win, our friends, the haulier and portroe crane operator, will soon be standing outside their own gates looking for support while somebody else does their jobs.
We saw this kind of tactic on board Irish passenger ferries in recent years (although these vessels sailed then and now under flags of convenience) and while this is still unacceptable it's more sinister when non Irish nationals are shipped in to work on our soil here with the sole intent of undermining the rights of Irish workers.

I am not a union member, in fact I'm self employed but I wonder where is the ICTU and why is there not a ballot for an all out strike of the dublin port instead of leaving these few MTL dockers to fight alone to put a stop to these shocking new tactics being used by their employer to break them.

theroadahead

Many thanks for your email regarding this matter. The situation is this, FM104 hire that truck from a contractor for promotional events. It is branded with FM104 and is not meant to be used for anything other than FM104 events. I have contacted the contractor and he informed me that one of his tractors broke down yesterday morning and therefore he had to use the FM104 branded vehicle for a delivery to the port. Needless to say, we are not happy with this nor the fact that he crossed your picket line. His actions to were not representative of FM104 and our ethos.

I hope that this unfortunate incident will not deter you from listening to FM104 in the future.

Sincere apologies,

Feena O’Brien