SIPTU is today appealing to the Labour Court for 21 workers in Killarney in Co. Kerry to be reinstated to their jobs. It says the company has exaggerated their financial position.

The staff are fighting a decision by Killarney Golf Club to make them redundant despite an on-going legal battle to try to save their jobs.

SIPTU members there had voted earlier this month to begin strike action at the start of May. It followed the management serving notice of redundancy on the majority of staff on Wednesday April 10th. The union says redundancy notice was served even though a Labour Court hearing had been set for April 29th to discuss ways of minimising job losses at the venue.

SIPTU says workers are "particularly angry" that this approach is being adopted by a business of which State agency Fáilte Ireland owns 77%.

'Forcing people out of employment'

Last year, the union referred the dispute at the Killarney Golf Club to the Labour Relations Commission (LRC). This year the matter was referred to the Labour Court. As part of the LRC process the union engaged an independent assessor to evaluate the financial position of the club.

SIPTU Services Sector Organiser is Denis Hynes. He says the company is imposing the job cuts without negotiating properly with the workers.

He says they had agreed to pay cuts and were willing to do more to help the club finances but they feel they are being forced out of their jobs.