Strike at Kilmeaden estate halts milk operation

An industrial dispute at the Mount Congreve estate, Co Waterford, which is internationally-known for its 100 acres of gardens, is set to enter its seventh week.

A group of SIPTU members have been on strike at the Kilmeaden estate since July 12th over the dismissal of a colleague whose case is due to be heard by the Employment Appeals Tribunal next month.

The union says 11 of its members are on strike while 15 other workers - from a full-time staff of 105 - are refusing to pass the picket. A spokesman for the estate says there are 10 strikers, supported by eight others.

The gardens, which attract more than 3,000 visitors annually, have remained open since the strike began and the estate manager, Mr Patrick Coveney, said there had been no disruption.

However, milk collections from the farm have stopped and the 350 gallons a day produced by its dairy herd is being spread on the land. Mr Coveney has offered the milk free to any processor prepared to use it for charity, but the offer has not been taken up. Mr David Lane, a SIPTU branch official, said the worker at the centre of the dispute was dismissed for allegedly leaving his work station to change the batteries in his radio. This was denied by Mr Coveney, who said the reasons would be made clear at the Employment Appeals Tribunal hearing scheduled for September 9th.

An application by management for an adjournment of the EAT hearing, because a senior manager and a key witness would be in the United States, was rejected by the tribunal.

Before the worker's dismissal, SIPTU had lodged a claim for improved pay and conditions for its members, and for their right to be represented by the union. These issues were before the Labour Court when strike notice was served over the dismissal of the worker, and the Labour Court declined to proceed while the action continued.