The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has agreed to intervene in the Irish Ferries dispute. SIPTU is threatening to strike over company plans to seek almost 550 voluntary redundancies.
However, the Irish Seaman's Union says it believes most employees will accept redundancy and have asked ICTU to negotiate for those who wish to remain.
The Government has also intervened in the controversy.
The Minister for the Marine, Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher, said he would be asking the company to defer its decision while the Government considers measures aimed at supporting the shipping industry.
Speaking last night from Brussels, Mr Gallagher said that he was very disappointed that the company felt the need to resort to such 'extreme measures'.
The minister said he understood the commercial pressures faced in shipping, but the decision of the company created grave consequences for Irish seafaring employment.
He said he would be asking the company to defer its decision while the Government considers a report from the Irish Maritime Development Office on the need for more support for the shipping industry.
So far there has been no response from Irish Ferries.
