Dublin Port hauliers threaten strike
Page 6
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Dublin Port hauliers are threatening to withdraw services from Stevedores Marne Terminals mu in protest at the company's working hours.
As CM went to press, they were planning to haft deliveries this week after a meeting at the weekend failed to resoNre the issue.
"Some hauliers go in three times a day and could lose two hours each time," says Irish Road Haulage Association national secretary Ciaran Dowling. But he stresses withdrawal is an individual decision for the 60 hauliers concerned.
According to MIL Commercial Manager Paul Halpin, MIL has agreed to 07:00hrs opening but needs time to introduce it: `We have to keep one eye on the EU working time directive in talks with our men on hours."
MTL increased terminal traffic when it won BG Freightline's traffic last autumn. But Halpin says more handling staff have been recruited, two new stackers are in operation and another crane is on order.
"We have 11 months to wait for delivery of the crane," he adds. It all takes time to implement. We are open 312 days a year and the days we have problems are usually after a bank holiday when everybody comes at once."