Aquatic Centre workers serve notice of industrial action

by Brian Mon Sep 04, 2006 17:49

A staff member whose case was supposed to be heard today for unfair dismissal was paid off on Friday when they settled with him on the terms that it remains confidential. A good use of taxpayers money huh? Indirectly or otherwise

by illegal fly fishing poaching season iosaf Mon Sep 04, 2006 19:03

-
against oppression & precarity. Their struggle is at the heart of any industrial relations case as we look down the drainage pipe of workers' rights to a distant 2016. These workers & all who find employment (legal or illegal) on the waterways, canals, rivers and lakes of Ireland, as well as those in employment in the spin-off fisheries and canning sectors of our ample industrial estates, & even those who brave the sea & brine of both Irish sea and Atlantic ocean - deserve our support. They're not puppets. They're not tv personalities nor politicians. They're just working people. Working people who saw their long forgotten "vanity project" palce of work turn into the illustrations at this article http://indymedia.ie/article/71715 Let's remember aside from flouride, Irish water & general "watereyness" is a great & for the most part unexploited natural resource. The company behind the national aquatic centre as was explained to us in this article http://indymedia.ie/article/75709 are the very same as the Waterford water-world bunch. Honestly, follow the money of your local paddling pool and you'll be with the dancing dolphins soon enough. Yet, despite being able to afford to lose 150,000,000 on computer errors, the irish state never built an olympic size swimming pool. Thus keeping a generation of irish people safe from verucahs & celebrity status.

Support these workers.

support our national aquatic workers in their struggle. do not be silent.

by Lola Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:28

There's an article in the Times this morning about it where management have said there are internal procedures available to air grievances. Is is because they don't exist as well as the climate of bullying in there that most of the staff have now joined SIPTU.

It is also untrue that the reduction in lifeguard hours was co-inciding with the end of the summer season. In most cases now there is only 1 lifeguard manning the 50 metre pool (how safe a policy is this?!!) and they were only going to open the leisurepool from 4pm onwards. This is where the lifeguard hours were disappearing to. To cut costs in a centre that is being run into the ground. Maybe they could re-deploy these lifeguards to clean the filth evident all around the pool area.

I would totally support the staff in there especially after being laid off for 5 months last years while their employers picked up an insurance cheque for over a million which was supposed to compensate for this.

And well done to SIPTU for finally taking on Waterworld.

by Christina Wed Sep 06, 2006 10:30

I wish Prime Time Investigates would do some of their award winning journalism on this fiasco and follow the money trail. This would be better than any John Grisham novel if it wasn't so serious and wasn't done with our tax money. Heads should roll for this. I heard that the latest is that the "directors" are involved in anothe new aquatic centre in Bulgaria (otherwise known for its corruption in political circles) .
Very comforting isn't it?

by Celine Wed Sep 06, 2006 12:03

This article appears on SIPTU'S website. I particularly like the last paragraph

Industrial action at National Aquatic Centre
Date Released: 05 Sep 2006

SIPTU is to serve notice of industrial action on the National Aquatic Centre (NAC) in a dispute over poor industrial relations.

SIPTU Branch Organiser, John Flannery said that for the last two years, Dublin Waterworld Ltd (DWL) - which runs the centre – refuses to recognise the Union and has wrongfully dismissed at least four people – three of whom are SIPTU members.

“This week, management announced its intention to reduce the lifeguards’ hours of work – and therefore their pay - by about 25%,” he explained.

“The NAC has been in operation for just 3 years. DWL - the off-the-shelf company which runs the centre for the Government - received €1.2m insurance compensation for a storm-damaged roof, but declined to share any of this money with the employees who were laid-off for five months while repairs were carried out.

“The form of industrial action to be taken is likely to include a ban on overtime, a work to rule, unannounced work stoppages of short duration and/or an all-out strike which will include placing pickets on the centre.”

Editor’s Note:

DWL owes the Government more than €11 million in unpaid rent and VAT. In March 2006, the Government sought and were granted a High Court Order to get DWL to surrender possession of the centre to Campus Stadium Ireland Development. (CSID). DWL subsequently sought leave to appeal to the Supreme Court and this appeal will be heard on November 14 2006.

by Member Fri Sep 08, 2006 11:53

As a member i think it is disgraceful that the staff are threatening strike. If you don't like the job then leave. I am sure that when new owners take over as they inevitably will they will not want to take on a bunch of militant workers.
Try thinking about the customers for once.

by Christina Fri Sep 08, 2006 12:05

The previous submission is obviously not a member as if they were they would be incensed at the dirt of the place and how a facility built with tax payers' money has been left go to ruin.

It is only through actions such as the strike that people might sit up and take notice at the appalling management style here, which funnily enough SIPTU have coined as a "loose cannon style of management",

These charlatans have already lost the high court case and for reasons only known to themselves are pursuing an appeal in the Supreme court on November 14th, which they have little hope of winning, all the time delaying the handover of the centre back to the government.

Does it not make one wonder why local clubs are not using the swimming pool? Waterpolo players are only using it because they have no other facilities to use. The next diving competition and the nationals are going to be held in Northern Ireland this year as the nac are looking for way toomuch money to hold it. What does this say about our flagship centre?
Even the city councils have pulled out of using it as every time they rang up a different price was quoted to them as the perception of the nac management was that "they have lots of money to spend".

As well as the 4 people fired over the last few months, only last night another swimming teacher was fired and told they were not good enough at their job. Despite one of our top swimmers saying the contrary. These people don't know what they are about and the sooner they leave the centre and their staff to be managed by professionals, the better.

I will be fully supporting the staff and SIPTU for exposing the nonsense that passes for management in that place.

by omg Fri Sep 08, 2006 12:23

The previous submission is obviously not a member as if they were they would be incensed at the dirt of the place and how a facility built with tax payers' money has been left go to ruin.

Sweetheart, not all people share your negative impression, lets not try to say that they are liars just because they dont agree with your ideas.

Not everyone is obsessed with dirt, perhaps you need evaluation to sort your mind out a bit?
And most places built with tax payers money in Ireland are in ruins, but i do not see the whole country up in arms about it do you?

....Move on nuffin to see here.....

by Christina Fri Sep 08, 2006 12:58

I rest my case!

by LISA Mon Sep 11, 2006 12:26

Who is responsible for keeping the place clean? I would have thought thats the job of the cleaners and Lifeguards.

by Celine Mon Sep 11, 2006 12:38

Well in the pool area it would be the lifeguards on a day to day basis but due to the minimum amount of staff being employed there is now only one lifeguard manning the 50 metre pool area most of the time which is an accident waiting to happen.

That's why the staff have served strike notice as the nam management want to cuth their hours even further.

In the case of the rest of the centre you would have a cleaning team but again this is at a minimum.

You also need a proper programme of cleaning and schedules, none of which exist in the nac. The pool has green mould growing at the side of it, in full view for everyone to see. And that's before you life up any of the drain covers.........

One day i was in swimming and skidded and nearly fell on the slime/algae on the poolside. Scary huh?!

by Brendan Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:50

The diving pool is getting greener by the day. What is going on?
It's also getting very quiet in there. You could have had a conversation with someone at the other end of the pool last night. If the nc club swimmers weren't in there last night there would have been about 5 people in the main pool.

by Deirdre Wed Sep 13, 2006 10:15

They have cut the hours in the pool already. Now, the leisure pool only opens from 4pm to 8.45 each day. Surely ths doesn't represent a good use of taxpayers money, to build a facility for 60 million and leave it closed for half the day.

by wolf master Sat Sep 16, 2006 16:57

Who you going to open it for?

by Debbie Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:34

There is a bit of a witch hunt in there at the moment by management to see who is and isn't in the union. SIPTU are being made aware of this and much more

by Bren Mon Sep 18, 2006 13:27

Apparently they're charging the nac swimming club over €1,100 a week to rent a few lanes. This is outrageous. The club are now looking at moving to another pools whose rates aren't as extortionate. I thought this centre was for the development of swimming and an community facility, not just to line the pockets of a few Kerry investors??!!

by Brian Tue Sep 19, 2006 15:45

If the place is losing money, which judging by the numbers using it, it obviously is. Then i have two questions - Why do some people think the kerry boys are making money out of it?
Why do they bother to stay?
It also seems to me that they are not supported by the staff, many of whom are no doubt posting on this site. If i was them i would pack and go.
The question the staff need to address is would a new operator want them, apparenntly they cannot keep the place clean, cannot keep the customers happy, and are becoming very militant with strike threats etc.

by Mimi Tue Sep 19, 2006 16:20

No one seems to understand why these guys are staying. Apparently it is part of a larger puzzle or plan. They are appealin to lost court case for the return of the centre as well as the €10 million they owe in VAT. There has been evidence of fraud which will become apparent on November 14th. One of the staff members who alleged that his name was forged on maintenance checks and who reported it has now been asked by management to withdraw his statement. This is the kind of stuff going on in there which is an absolute disgrace.

The dirt of the centre isn't simply down to untrained staff. There are simply too few of them. Mostly in the 50 metre pool area now there is only one lifeguard. This isn't staff's fault. The other night I saw a staff member cleaning the ladies changing rooms and using a bottle of Pantene shampoo in the bucket as detergent. The staff aren't even being given the tools they need. In fact, that's the first sign of any detergent I have ever seen used by the staff in the pool changing rooms. Scary!

Most of the full time staff that used to be there have left. Now you have a lot of part time or contract staff with no full time status and no serious rights.

On Thursday morning, despite what SIPTU have advised ,the management are still trying to meet the staff on their own. It's this sort of intimidation that has people running to the union.

by tony Tue Sep 19, 2006 21:42

the staff are not becoming militant, they have been lied to on so many occasions now that there may be no other option open to them to pursue but to strike. on the score board in the competition pool it reads that the pool will be clossed this thursday to faciliate staff training when in fact it is for a meeting chaired by the general manager to spin more yarns to the staff and make out that they are the innocent ones in all of this while the real staff loose there jobs, are bullied on a daily basis and dww dont give a toss,

by christina Tue Sep 19, 2006 22:02

of course the centre is dying a death at the min, the numbers in the swimming classes are less then they were last year good teachers have been let go by the manegment cause they woud really know what swimming is all about, the swim team are being treated like dirt and remember these are just kids not millionaires, swim ireland are being charged incedible amounts of money to hold competitions, the diving championships also have to be held up the north due to the excessive costs of pool hire at the centre not to mention the lack of support the diving coach receives from current management, but i would expext nothing less for an aquatic manager who wouldnt know one end of a pool from the other , and her biggest supporter her best friend ,we all know what your up to miss general manager and of course those ganster clowns that pull your strings down in kerry and not to leave out the director from the north , hang your heads in shame, aquatic development by you lot your having a laugh especially the ex competitive swimming director, we have seen thru your lies.

by Celine Wed Sep 20, 2006 09:58

Swim Ireland were recently quoted €12,000 to hold a 2 day gala in the nac!! In February!"
Is this helping to develop aquatics in this country??? I don't think so!

These guys are nothing short of gangsters and at least now this is getting out there for public attention.
The diving galas are now going to the north due to the excessive costs even though there are not as many diving boards or platforms there. They have no choice.

You're right the new aquatics development manager doesn't know the meaning of the word. The pool has got so quiet in there now. Usualy apart form the few swimming lessons there may be a handful of people in the pool at peak times.

I think staff should boycott that meeting on Thursday and stick with their union who are there to look after their interest. Too many lies and spin have been dished out to staff over the last 2 or 3 years.

I might take the 14th November off work and attend the court to finally see justice being done.

by In Response Wed Sep 20, 2006 15:31

In order to take the day off work on the 14th November to attend the court ....... would that not involve having a job??

by liam b Wed Sep 20, 2006 16:13

i dont understand why anyone can support dww ,there general manager or directors when they have single handly set out to destroy a brilliant centre, cut backs ,bullying, lying, dodgy business deals i could go on and on, and again this is not hear say , we have been waiting years for a centre like this and it is being run by ppl who have no respect for it and what it stands for ,a public building to support and enhance aquatic activities in ireland, it seems to me that they are getting rid of there best staff one by one, including a 10 times international medalist for his country in swimming and many other good ppl for this sham they are trying to create, what is there game, november cannot come soon enough for one, and just maybe the centre can be restored to what it was orginally built for to sevice aquatics for the good of all ppl in ireland,

by J Moriarty Wed Sep 20, 2006 16:19

I think it will be a cause for celebration when these guys are finally thrown out. Not just for the few beleagured staff that are left in the place and that have weathered the torm but for the sport of aquatics in Ireland.

Maybe we could organise a big anti dww celebration after the 14th for all us swimmers who have been denied a properly run aquatic centre for the last 3 years through the Indymedia site.

We are the laugh of other countries who cannot fathom what is going on. in this banana republic that is our national aquatic centre.

From what I hear the nac swimming club are going to pull out of there and maybe change their name

by Celine Thu Sep 21, 2006 10:23

The "staff training" is on in the nac at the moment. I wonder what little gems will come out of this Director-staff meeting??

by The Rutt Thu Sep 21, 2006 16:54

There was not a great turnout at 'staff training' today and nothing new from management,just the usual lies.They did however promise a 2.5% increase in wages ,the fact that they this increase is due from 18 months ago does not stop them from expecting us all getting down on our knees and giving thanks ,what chancers they are.Remember the old saying management,you can fool all of the people some of the time,you can fool some of the people all of the time but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.
November cannot come soon enough so we can get back to running the centre properly and without bullying.

by christina Thu Sep 21, 2006 16:58

2 and a half %, with inflation running at almost 5%!!! What a great deal! Not! Who do they think they are fooling??!

Staff should forget these "love ins" by management even if they are disguised as staff training and just stick with the union as at the end of the day, at the moment they are the only people standing up for their rights, and when they are thrown out the union will be "recognised" in there.

by wolfenstein Thu Sep 21, 2006 20:14

Management are in the process of resolving all staff related issues as only they know how, by getting rid of the staff................. Good work!!!! Must be saving a fortune.

by Change the Record Fri Sep 22, 2006 09:03

"She" would be right :)

by Fact - N/A Mon Sep 25, 2006 13:32

I just thought all you negitive nellies out there would like to know that I attended the Parents Choice awards at Jurys Hotel on Thursday last. Imagine my surprise to see the National Aquatic Center pick up the overall award for the Best Fun Family Day Out. I personally agree and voted for the National Aquatice Centre. This award is due in my opinion to the good staff who work there and are concerned with delivering the best service to the customer and not with attacking theie employer who pays their wages. Thank God there are still some people who want to work for a living and not just moan all the time. Well done NAC staff (the good ones) I will keep bringing my childern up to the centre. Lets see what kind of a spin you put on that!!!!!!!!!!

by not management Mon Sep 25, 2006 15:35

http://www.infant.ie/awards/result.html

This is the link the the Parents Choice Awards quoted above. It lists off the other 100 or so "winners".
McDonalds, Supermacs and eddie Rocketts are all in the same company of winners.

It is an award by an infant magazine
Unfortunately there is no background as to how one voted for contestants or indeed the numbers of votes in each category.

It is funny that the person above was actually there if she wasn't part of management ??

Incidentally, there was a 2012 camp in the nac at the weekend (our olympic hopefulls basically) and they had to take them out of the building at lunchtime so they could get a decent healthy lunch. what does this say??

excellence? I think not..

by Celine Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:15

It was interesting to see in yesterday's newspaper that Roadbridge were highlighted as one of the 8 or so contributors to Fianna Fail featured.
Isn't Roadbridge one of the companies owned my a certain Mr.Pat Mulcair, who took over the lease of the Aquatic Centre without the Government having any knowledge of it?

we nearly need another tribunal to sort out the sorry mess that is the Aquatic Centre

by Bring it on Thu Oct 12, 2006 21:29

Roll on the 14th of Nov

by Brian Fri Oct 13, 2006 11:20

It's almost dark in there at night now as they seem to be turning off more and more lights, probably to save money. There was waterpolo in the diving pool last night and it was almost in darkness. This has to have health and safety implications, especially if a ball is flying at you at high speed.

by Celine Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:45

Waterworld are in the High Court again this morning so watch the breaking news to see what they have been doing recently. That and the Supreme Court date on the 14th November should have these guys out in no time.

by court update Wed Nov 08, 2006 15:13

One of the staff has been successful in obtaining a temporary injunction in the High Court this morning against Dublin Waterworld. watch this space for news updates

by Curious Thu Nov 09, 2006 12:50

It is in Today's Irish Times, on page 3 or 5. The staff member was bullied (allegedly) by management into removing files from the organisation and when refusing to do so was harrassed and bullied. Then management accessed her personal external email account (not her nac account) and tried to use this to dismiss her.
The judge granted her an injunction against them taking disciplinary action and it's back in court tomorrow. They 're also back in next Tuesday with their Supreme Court "appeal".
Then we should see the back of them hopefully

by Court Reporter Thu Nov 09, 2006 13:05

The article is on page 4 of The Times. It states that the Senior Administrator was the subject of bullying and harrassment by Senior Managers after she refused to remove 'certain documents'.
It also states that her personal email account was accessed by somebody and that Dublin Waterworld was now trying to use personal emails to discipline her.

by Colm Thu Nov 09, 2006 13:49

Having read the article in The Times I wonder how do these managers sleep at night. I have to apologise to all the people who have written articles on this site warning us the members and general public about these people,I believed the management when they told me everything being said about them on this was untrue . Guys I am really really sorry and the next time I see the manager I will let her know how I feel.

by Beware Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:24

No matter how hard you try to hide it the truth will always come out in the end. The time is approaching.

by Christina Fri Nov 10, 2006 16:42

Why do my comments keep getting deleted? Management perhaps??

by Aidan Fri Nov 10, 2006 17:16

Did you eat all the pies?You cant lie now because you know you did.

by Celine Fri Nov 10, 2006 17:30

At least the truth will prevail next Tuesday and it will be a good day for Irish Sport

by Interested Fri Nov 10, 2006 17:38

I heard the Dublin Waterworld have got the court case moved to a later date, is that true?

by Court Reporter Fri Nov 10, 2006 21:23

The Court Date has not been moved Dublin Waterworld Limited
were in court today pleading for the case taken against them by the Senior Administrator to be deferred till monday week,the judge granted their request.

by Colm Fri Nov 10, 2006 21:27

The only thing being moved is DWL out of the Aquatic Centre next week and despite the so called northern expert stating they will appeal to the European Court there is no provision in law for this to happen.So Bagel eater you cocked up again.

by Get Real Sat Nov 11, 2006 12:46

If DWL get kicked out next week what will change - Nothing.
Staff will still be employed at NAC under same terms and conditions. Only thing is that payment will come from CSID as opposed to DWL.
Everything else will continue as normal. Bertie has promised NAC will not close and it wont.
DWL will cease trading - big deal!
Eventually the whingers will start moaning about the new employers - thats life!