Ferry union will not appeal strike ruling

Seacat sailings remain unaffected

A union representing staff on the Seacat ferry has decided not to appeal against a court ruling preventing it from taking industrial action.

On Wednesday, the High Court ruled that a proposed strike by ferry staff on sailings between Belfast, Heysham and Troon was unlawful.

The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association Union (TSSA) had planned to start indefinite strike action over working conditions from Thursday.

Lord Justice McCollum had granted the union leave to appeal his decision.

But following a meeting between the union and Seacat management on Thursday morning, the TSSA said it would not be proceeding with the legal challenge.

Deputy general secretary Jon Allen said the decision had been taken "in the light of the company's positive position towards trade union recognition".

"We are anxious for any further uncertainty caused to members and the travelling public to be eliminated as soon as possible," he said.

Unions says door is open to resolve matter

"Meeting dates have been offered by the company, to progress matters and we will be taking up that offer in a spirit of co-operation."

The move was welcomed by Seacat.

A spokesperson said: "We're pleased the TSSA is not proceeding with an appeal. Our sailing will remain unaffected."

The dispute centres on staff grievances including long working hours, inadequate rest breaks, inadequate annual leave entitlement as well as job security issues.

Service launched

Seacat brought the court action on Wednesday, along with a passenger booked to travel, and said it had been pleased with the outcome.

A subsidiary of Sea Containers, Seacat launched the Troon service in April last year.

The company then abandoned its Stranrear to Belfast link in March this year, citing the success of the new route as the reason for consolidating its Irish Sea operations in Troon.

Earlier this year another subsidiary of Sea Containers, the Argyll and Antrim Steam Packet company, announced it was withdrawing from the loss-making Campbeltown to Ballycastle route.