Bord na Móna strike action averted

Strike action has been averted, at least temporarily, after negotiations between unions and Bord na Móna management concluded with a new deal put on the table as part of a dispute concerning a 3.5% pay increase due under the Towards 2016 social partnership deal for Bord na Móna workers. Approximately 1,200 Bord na Móna workers are to be balloted over the coming weeks on the new deal that SIPTU's Oliver McDonagh said yesterday (Thursday) workers are being recommended to accept. Speaking to the Offaly Independent after a two hour meeting between approximately 20 SIPTU, UNITE and TEEU union representatives in Tullamore yesterday, Mr McDonagh said if accepted by workers the deal being offered will see workers get a 3.5% pay increase in two parts, with 1.75% of it tied to performance. A further once off payment of €1,000 will be offered to workers in lieu of retrospective pay dating back to 2009. Mr McDonagh said that while it's not the deal that was originally expected, it's the best deal under the circumstances. "The unions are recommending this under the present circumstances as the best deal achieveable," Mr McDonagh said yesterday. At the beginning of March Bord na Móna workers voted in favour of action in relation to the dispute, while Bord na Móna warned funding their demands would put 80 jobs at risk. At the time Mr McDonagh said the union was open to further talks with Bord na Móna management if they had the potential to bear fruit. The current deal terms were thrashed out over two days last week in negotiations between unions and Bord na Móna management. Approximately 1,200 Bord na Móna workers are involved in the issue, with the bulk of those based in Offaly and Kildare. Workers across every grade are affected according to Mr McDonagh, including office staff, supervisors and those working on bogs, in stores and in briquette factories. Bord na Móna was not available for comment at the time of going to print.