Workers in the Bord na Móna Finance Shares Services and Feedstock sections have agreed to defer placing notice of strike action on the company and enter into a period of intensive negotiations with management concerning restructuring proposals. Bord na Móna Group of Unions Secretary and SIPTU Organiser, John Regan, said: “The decision by workers to defer placing strike notice on the company follows an informal meeting between union and management representatives in the Labour Relations Commission on Monday, 23rd February. “At this meeting it was agreed that intensive discussions on the issues in dispute would commence on Tuesday, 3rd March, and conclude by the end of the month. The issue will then be jointly referred to a hearing of the Labour Court and the Group of Unions will ballot members on its recommendation.” Unite the Union official, Ed Thompson, said: “While this process is ongoing management has agreed that no alteration to the current pay and conditions of employment of union members will occur. In response workers have agreed to suspend issuing strike notice on the company.” Unite the Union official, Colm Quinlan, added: “This dispute arose from an attempt by management to fill positions in a manner designed to destabilise the employment status of other employees and to convert stable employment into precarious employment through displacement. The approach was unprecedented and was unacceptable to workers.” Workers in the Bord na Móna Finance Shares Services and Feedstock sections had voted overwhelmingly for industrial action, up to and including strike action, in a ballot held in early February.
Bord na Móna workers defer strike action and enter discussions with management
