Tara Mines workers seek return to WRC after talks collapse

Up to 400 Tara Mines staff attended a meeting last Wednesday, where they expressed anger at the previous Friday’s abrupt breakdown in negotiations centred on a return to work.

The Group of Unions which consists of SIPTU, UNITE and CONNECT are now seeking an early return to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and workers representative have refused to rule out industrial action if further talks aren't successful.

John Regan of SIPTU said they would be looking to return to the WRC in light of the company abruptly ending talks.

“We will have to go through that process and then if there is a deal, we will return to work. If a deal is rejected, we will have to have another general meeting to consider our options and industrial action,” he said.

“Workers were asking if we would continue to comply with ‘care and maintenance’, and there was talk of a presence at the gate,” he said.

Negotiations on the reopening of Tara Mines, which has been in 'care and maintenance' mode since last July, were abruptly suspended on Friday, 22nd March, with the announcement by management that the facility would remain in ‘care and maintenance’ with no agreement on the resumption of full operation. At last Wednesday's meeting, which took place in Simonstown GAA Centre, there was a strong message from workers reminding management that they need to look at their relationship with the local community.

“That relationship is strained and with all the plans for future environmental projects, they will need the goodwill of the local community,” said Mr Regan.

The meeting was informed of the Group of Union's dealings with the company over the past eight months.

“We received an endorsement of our approach to the negotiations,” said Mr Regan.

“We are seeking an early return to the WRC. The workers expressed their frustration. They feel let down by the company and a lot of them are under pressure as social welfare changes are due to hit them.”

The unemployment benefit currently being paid to the workers is due to run out in mid April, which will see them transferred to means-tested unemployment assistance.

“We gave them advice on what to expect. Many of them are already being assessed. We are talking to the government to make sure the €65 the company is paying to top up benefits, does not affect their unemployment assistance.”

Some of the workers who spoke at the meeting said they believed the company was using the process to chip away at the power of the trade unions.

In a letter to staff issued on the evening the talks were ended, Tara Mines general manager, Gunnar Nystrom said the company had been engaged in negotiations with the GoU since January and had “made progress on a number of key issues, including on enhancing the terms on offer under the proposed voluntary severance scheme.”

“Our aim from the start has been to achieve a reasonable agreement that will enable the mine to reopen as soon as possible. We want to ensure that we are able to reopen on a basis that is sustainable, in the face of very difficult market conditions including a depressed zinc price. Once we reopen, we want to be able to remain open.

“Regrettably, progress in the negotiations has stalled and the position currently being adopted by the GoU will not allow for a sustainable reopening. Therefore we have reached an impasse and further discussion are currently on hold,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Darren O'Rourke has called on Government ministers in Meath to intervene to help resolve the impasse at Tara Mines.

“The strategy of management at Tara Mines is clear and has been for some time now. It is a plan to reduce costs and maximise profits by reducing the number of directly employed workers and their terms and conditions.

“In light of the current impasse between unions and management at Tara Mines and recognising that the Government, through Enterprise Ireland, is liaising with Boliden Tara Mines on energy and productivity supports that could assist with a sustainable reopening, I am now calling on our Government ministers in Meath, Helen McEntee and Thomas Byrne, to intervene.

“The time for platitudes and rhetoric is over. The Government has power and influence in this matter, and our Meath-based ministers must be the voice for the workers at Tara Mines.

“One such proposal they could make, for example, is to ensure that state-supports for Tara Mines come with strict conditions in relation to the maintenance of high quality local jobs at the mine and improved engagement with workers and the local community.”