SIPTU General President, Jack O'Connor, has reacted strongly to comments by IBEC Director General Turlough O'Sullivan about what the IBEC leader described as the Irish Ferries 'debacle'.
In an angry statement, Mr O'Connor said the comments were totally untrue and had exacerbated an already difficult situation with serious implications for the entire country.
IBEC's Director General had said the unions had played a part in bringing about what is now happening at Irish Ferries.
The firm is attempting to replace its entire workforce with foreign workers on significantly lower wages.
Turlough O'Sullivan said unions had mucked the company around and made life impossible for it.
The IBEC boss said that for the last several years management at the company had been trying to engage unions in debate to bring necessary change to make the company competitive.
However, he said, the unions had continuously and steadfastly refused to engage in that, and had instead done the opposite.
Mr O'Sullivan said the Irish Ferries plans to replace its entire workforce with foreign workers earning significantly lower wages was happening solely because of developments in international shipping.
He insisted that it would have absolutely no knock-on impact on the rest of the economy.
