Members of the Tara Mines Groups of Unions (GOU) voted to accept proposals, agreed at the Workplace Relations Commission, on the reopening of the mine in a ballot counted on 3rd May in the SIPTU Dan Shaw Centre in Navan, county Meath.
SIPTU Organiser, Andrew McGuiness, said: “This has been a decisive vote in favour of the proposals by members of all the unions which make up the Tara Mines GOU. SIPTU members voted by 67% to 33% to accept the proposals while similar sizable majorities in favour were also returned by Connect and Unite.”
SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan, said: “The work of the Tara Mines GOU will now focus on ensuring the Government makes good on commitments it has provided concerning changes to support the future operation of the mine. These include changes to how royalties are calculated, and the provision of energy subsidies and concessions in relation to the social welfare supports that the laid-off workforce will continue to require until the mine returns to full operation.
“Our members have made sacrifices to return this mine to full operation. In this ballot, they have decisively placed the interests of their local communities, which are heavily dependent on the economic benefits Tara Mines brings, and the future of the facility to the fore.”
He added: “It is a day that hopefully also brings to a conclusion a very difficult period for everyone involved and the wider country which recognises the importance of the utilisation of our natural resources in a sustainable manner.”
Picture: General meeting of members of the Tara Mines Group of Unions in Simonstown GAA Club in Navan, county Meath on Thursday 25th April.