The headquarters of the Transport and General Workers' Union in London said tonight that the suspension of its controversial Irish Regional Secretary, Mick O'Reilly, is to continue. This is despite the opposition of its 23-member Irish Executive Committee. The Committee issued a strong condemnation of the suspension following a meeting in Belfast last night.
A spokesman for General Secretary, Bill Morris, said that Mr Morris was aware of the committee's views, but the suspension on full pay would remain in place. The spokesman would not be drawn on the reasons for Mr O'Reilly's suspension, or for the suspension of Northern Organiser, Eugene McGloin.
Mick O'Reilly and Eugene McGloin were suspended following what was described as "an administrative examination" of the union's Irish operations. A spokesman for the TGWU in London said yesterday that Mr O'Reilly's suspension on full pay should not be regarded as disciplinary action, but rather a "precautionary" suspension.
Jimmy Kelly from Waterford, one of just two Irish members of the main TGWU Executive, said that if Mr O'Reilly were not re-instated before next week's ICTU biennial conference, the ATGWU would withdraw its delegation.
That timing poses a particular problem for Mr O'Reilly. If he remains suspended and can not attend the conference, he cannot be re-elected to his seat on the influential National Executive of Congress.
