Congress 'disappointed' at Embassy failure to attend LRC hearing
7 Feb 2008
Congress General Secretary David Begg today (Feb. 7) expressed disappointment over the British Embassy's refusal to attend at the Labour Relations' Commission and abide by agreed procedures, in a dispute with the trade union Unite.
Mr Begg said: "I find it rather disappointing that the Embassy should see fit to ignore the established industrial relations procedures and machinery of this state. Congress has also noted that the Embassy has not only failed to attend at the Labour Relations' Commission hearing, but has also failed to abide by agreed procedures in this dispute. It would seem to me that the unique position of the British Embassy in Ireland would make it virtually imperative that it sought, on all occasions, to support accepted and agreed procedures, whilst also supporting established institutions of the state.
"The Embassy is not above the law or beyond acceptable standards of behaviour."
The dispute at the British Embassy centres on its decision to make three staff compulsorily redundant without consultation or reference to procedures previously agreed with Unite.
Mr Begg said he fully supported the Unite decision to hold a one day stoppage at the Embassy today and said the Embassy should "come to its senses."
ends