Cape Clear Subsidised Ferry Operator Pleads Poverty

Cape Clear SUBSIDISED Ferry Operator Pleads Poverty (“emara News” 2nd June 2009) Ciaran O’Driscoll, the operator and owner of the Naomh Ciaran ii., recently cut the wages of the skippers and crew of the island’s lifeline ferry by an average of 25% and appealed to them to work four weeks of their time off, for free, during the summer, as falling passenger numbers were making it difficult for him to compete in these hard economic times. These appeals went unheeded by the ferry workers, who have neither noticed a cut in their costs of living, nor any reduction in the State subsidy to the ferry. This subsidy is rising every year and now stands at, we believe two hundred and sixty thousand Euro for this year. The workers are members of SIPTU, which despite repeated attempts to discuss these wage cuts, Has failed to resolve the issue over the past few weeks, with at total silence being the owner/operator’s only response. Notice was issued for an official strike this Thursday, 4th June, from 8.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. The Senior Skipper received a letter, handed to him by Ciaran O’Driscoll, during the return trip from Baltimore on Sunday evening. This brief note was the only dismissal notice Fachtna O’Driscoll (not a close relative), received of the immediate loss of a job he had held for two years, following the removal of the previous Senior Skipper by the operator on obtaining the ferry service contract from the Dept. Of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Fachtna had joined the ferry crew, as a State employee, in June 1975, and has an exemplary record onboard ever since, serving as crew, third and second Skipper. Since the owner/operator had also sacked a member of the crew, Fachtna’s son – the other crew member resigning in protest – at the time of his take over, Fachtna was the only really experienced ferryman left on the service. Again the owner/operator cited economic hardship as his only reason for dismissing this long-serving servant of the island community. It is very difficult to accept the veracity of this “poor mouthing” from a man in receipt of a State subsidy which must cover the total wage bill of actual ferrymen and the fuel used by the Naomh Ciaran. We can only conclude that if he is so strapped for cash the wages of the office staff (his wife), , or the fees of the directors (himself and his son Aedan – who is now also a Skipper and presumably paid as such -),of the holiday house company, wholly owned by the O’Driscoll family, which for some abstruse reason of their own, is in fact the legal entity holding the contract for the Cape Clear service, must be generous to a fault. Perhaps it would have been more sensible to look in that direction for savings! The news of this sudden, probably illegal, sacking got to Cape before the Naomh Ciaran and a crowd gathered on the pier to greet her arrival. There were estimated to be around fifty members of the community, from all over the island and across the age range from 20s to well beyond that of accession to the State Pension. It also included one dog. Fachtna was cheered off the boat, but the owner/operator was met which such a torrent of the expression of the islanders’ feelings that he seemed to find himself incapable of leaving either the wheelhouse or the boat for some time. It is a testimony to the self-restraint of the local community and God, - who at one point was called upon to “nail him now and save the island more trouble in the future.” – that no violence was done, in the furiously outraged atmosphere. The owner/operator chose to follow what seems to have become his policy in ferry matters, of saying nothing. The Naomh Ciaran was skippered and crewed yesterday by O’Driscoll himself, his son and wife. The other ferry workers felt themselves unable to go to sea. “emara News” has no statement from them, but their is a rumour running that they may have contracted Swine Flu

from the Owner! Think about it. Yesterday evening a meeting of island residents, attended by members of well more than half the households, concluded that a day of action should be called on the 4th, in support of the crew. It was felt that this should take place in Baltimore and should include protest at the treatment of the crew and the island community by the owner/operator and a celebration of the good work done by ferry workers past and present. The Minister responsible for the subsidy is to be invited and as many local people and community leaders and politicians and lovers of the island, from near and far, as can manage to attend. Judging by messages of support reported to the meeting there should be a good turn out of Roaring Water Bay Islanders and people from Baltimore and Skibbereen. A number of political friends of the island will be in attendance and there are rumours of support from all over the county. “emara News” has received a report of the Owner/operator, who has currently retreated to Northern Ireland, presumably to check on his Rathlin Ferry interests, Receiving a sharp verbal reminder of his troubles at home, from a resident of Ballycastle. He may have grounds for applying for North-South co-operation funding for his services to friendship and communication between the people of the North and the Republic! The fourth should be a great day in Baltimore. There were calls at the meeting for music, song, dance and non-violent protest. So please tell everyone you know who might like a good day out in a very good cause, and especially remember to bring your talents, your instruments, and your placards and banners. All are welcome, as you are all to the island, but this way you don’t have to get seasick and you can spend your ferry fare on celebration. For those who would like to make the day complete and fit in a visit to the island as well, the Cailin Oir – the orange boat – will be operating as usual, with the full approval of the legitimate crew of the Naomh Ciaran – the blue boat. See you all there, but not till I’ve done the milking. Ed – Editor (We would like to acknowledge the generous donation of apt T-shirts by our friends in the North and await their arrival with joyful anticipation.)