Bord na Mona staff to strike next Tuesday

Up to 1,500 Bord na Móna workers across the Midlands will down tools on Tuesday next for a one-day stoppage after rejecting a company offer on pay. Back in April, the Bord na Móna group of unions had recommended acceptance of the pay deal, which would see a 1.75% rise paid to staff, along with a once-off €1,000 payment in lieu of retrospective pay dating back to 2009. A further 1.75% would be paid by the company based on performance and productivity in 2013. However, the majority of the 1,500 workers in the semi-state company across the Midlands, the bulk of which are based in Offaly, Kildare and Westmeath, turned down that offer this week. Speaking in the wake of the ballot result, Group Secretary of the Bord na Móna group of unions Oliver McDonagh said that members felt that what was on offer was a far cry from the 6% they were originally promised back in 2009 as part of the national wage agreement and paid to all other semi-state companies. They were also unhappy with the fact the money was not pensionable and with elements of the performance related and productivity payment. "Our members felt it didn't close the gap enough," Mr McDonagh said. "It was a bridge too far for them," he added. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Bord na Móna management said it was disappointed by the union decision because the agreement with the unions represented a fair and reasonable accommodation of the interests of all parties. Workers in Bord na Móna are represented by three unions, SIPTU, TEEU and UNITE. The strike will affect all sectors of company on Tuesday next, including office staff, supervisors and those working on bogs, in stores and in briquette factories.