2nd March 2010 Local authorities expected to debate Green Isle Foods dispute as it enters seventh month and a third hunger striker is to join hunger strike Cork City Council is expected to debate the Green Isle dispute at its meeting next Monday, March 8th. It is understood that party whips have agreed the wording of a motion calling on the company to accept the Labour Court Recommendation as a basis for ending the dispute, now entering its seventh month. The Technical Engineering and Electrical Union has already accepted the Labour Court Recommendation.* Meanwhile Labour Councillor Dermot Looney said today he would move an emergency motion at next Monday’s meeting of South Dublin County Council if the dispute is not resolved before then. There was little progress in talks yesterday and a third Green Isle Foods worker is to join the hunger strike tomorrow if there is no breakthrough in the meantime. No information is available on the substantive issues as the company would only enter talks on the basis of a legally binding confidentiality agreement. Today Technical Engineering and Electrical Union General Secretary Designate Eamon Devoy said, “We are continuing to make every effort to resolve this dispute before it assumes more critical dimensions. I do not believe the company fully appreciates the wider implications it could have if we do not find a solution at this stage.” TEEU shop steward Jim Wyse is entering his fourteenth day on hunger strike today and fellow worker and former All-Ireland footballer John Guinan his seventh day. A colleague will join them on hunger strike tomorrow if the dispute is not resolved today. They are protesting at the unfair dismissal of three colleagues and the refusal of the company to allow them union representation. The Labour Court recommended the full reinstatement of the dismissed men and said they should be paid €180,000 compensation if the company does not reinstate them. The company only entered talks through third party mediators Bernard Durkan TD and Jack Wall TD after the hunger strike began. The men will not end the protest until a resolution of the dispute is achieved. See www.teeu.ie for more information and Hunger Strike Diary *Labour Court Recommendation 19698 and supplementary letter of January 5th, 2010.