Outsourcing: Irish Ferries outsourcing dispute threatens exporters

A dispute with trade unions over outsourcing threatens to close Irish Sea routes operated by Irish Ferries. The company which says it is operating in a "deteriorating environment," says it can not accept the recommendations of labour relations agencies because 90% of staff had opted for its severance package.

Any industrial dispute launched by the unions would severely hit exporters, especially with Christmas approaching. The dispute is over plans to outsource crewing.