If you have no job, you'd be mad not to take this position if offered, albeit on less favourable conditions than across the water.
This is a very similar situation that happens at my company. Open a new base and offer it on reduced terms.
Here's me thinking that if we had a union things might be better.
The union is only as strong as it's members - looks like they boys in Dublin wimped out on this one. Ah well, I suppose it doesn't really affect them.
Is this true or not.