Fisheries Ministry To Suspend Officers From Monday

“The Ministry of Fisheries has given notice to NUPE that they will suspend Fishery Officers from midnight Monday if they are still working to rule,” said Martin Cooney, organiser with the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE) today.

“Fishery Officers are taking legal industrial action by working to rule from Monday over the Fishery Officers’ Collective Employment Agreement negotiations which have been underway since early in 2003,” said Martin Cooney.

“Given the significant extra duties, responsibilities and risks asked of Fishery Officers since 1996, the Union is claiming that the Ministry must reflect those changes in their remuneration and also reduce the risks via the provision of defensive capability.”

“The Ministry of Fisheries has told Fisheries Officers that they will make an announcement round 12 July on the matter of equipping them with OC spray and ASP batons but has not given any indication of what the proposal will say,” said Martin Cooney.

“Fishery Officers at this stage intend proceeding with their work to rule next week to highlight to the community the issues they face. However they will vote on Monday about whether to proceed in the light of the heavy handed approach from the Ministry. Officers will contrast the speed of their response to Officers’ industrial action with their slowness to actually deal with the issues,” said Martin Cooney.

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