It's reported this morning that staff with the State’s Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) have served notice of a 24-hour work stoppage this week with further strike action to follow. Fórsa’s marine branch represents approximately 110 members of the SFPA.
Meanwhile, Michael Brennan's analysis of last week's recommendation that working time in the civil and public service should be restored to pre-austerity levels is in the Business Post. Drop me a line if you'd like the full text, as that one is behind the Post's paywall.
In related news, the Irish Times reports this morning that the Government expects salary increases for public servants to form part of new pay talks which will commence in Autumn.
The Indo reports that Congress has a tax credit for all PAYE workers on their employment-related expenses, because thousands of workers are in jobs that cannot be done remotely.
Elsewhere, the Sindo reported that Aer Lingus has told the Labour Court it has 'suffered a €1bn swing in its net debt position', The same paper reports that the airline has contingency plans in place to introduce changes to its direct employment model of groundhandling if its staff refuses to accept a pay freeze and cutbacks.
Zen
This morning’s Zen was prompted by a great edition of the Irishman’s Diary by Frank McNally in last week’s Irish Times. McNally marked the 40th anniversary of Thomas Dudley, better known to the people of Dublin as ‘Bang Bang’. McNally makes a surprising link with James Ellroy’s muscular crime novel LA Confidential.
While I’m a shade too young to remember Bang Bang’s legendary gunfights, my parents have spoken of him often, and with great affection, as they were caught in the crossfire on many occasions when they first moved to the city. Donal Fallon’s excellent history podcast, Three Castles Burning, paid tribute to Dudley a few months back, and is well worth a listen.
Have a great week.
Niall
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