Up to 1,500 Bord na Móna workers in the midlands took part in a one-day strike yesterday in a dispute over a pay increase at the company. Pickets were placed at Edenderry power station and at the company’s main production sites.
The Unite, Siptu and TEEU trade unions claim that despite a Labour Court ruling, which said workers had a valid claim to a 3.5 per cent pay rise, the company has not implemented the deal.
The court did, however, recommend that both parties hold further negotiations on how to satisfactorily address the claim.
Workers rejected an offer from the company to replace the wage increase with a bonus scheme. Bord na Móna employs almost 2,000 people in areas such as waste disposal and peat briquette production.
Management at the company said it was “disappointed” by the actions of the group of unions. – AOIFE CARR