Embassy staff threaten to strike

The three embassy workers deal with trade relations

Staff at the British Embassy in Dublin may strike next week over a proposal to issue three colleagues with compulsory redundancy notices.

Members of the Unite trade union have begun balloting for industrial action at the embassy in Ballsbridge.

It follows a meeting attended by about 80% of the embassy's 45 union members.

But in a statement issued on Tuesday, the Embassy said no redundancy notices had been issued to staff and a strike would be "unnecessary and regrettable".

"We are disappointed to hear that staff have voted to ballot for strike action," the statement said.

"We have followed established consultation procedures throughout and will continue to operate in full compliance with Irish labour law.

"Three of our 53 locally engaged staff are affected, and three UK based diplomats."

The statement said that if redundancies proved necessary, the package offered would meet the requirements of Irish labour law.

Dublin is the only British embassy to recognise trade union membership. It agreed procedures with unions in 2003 to deal with issues and disputes.

It is understood that the decision to reduce staff numbers was taken in London. Unions said this falls outside the agreed terms.

The three Irish workers, who have a total of 20 years' service between them, deal with UK trade and investment matters in Ireland.

Anger

Unite regional officer Colm Quinlan said: "There was a lot of anger at today's meeting over the manner in which this decision was arrived at and was communicated to staff.

"The ambassador and his staff have shown complete disregard for the Irish Labour Relations Commission through which this should have been negotiated."

The results of the ballot are due at the beginning of next week.