Unions still awaiting full financial disclosure from company

June 20th: Trades unions Unite and Connect, along with Siptu representatives, attended a meeting between unions and management in Tara Mines today, in a further bid to avert the suspension of operations announced by Tara Mines’ Swedish parent company, Boliden. 

Unite represents craft and staff grades in the mine, while Connect represents craft grades.  The two unions submitted proposals to the company regarding ways in which cost savings could be made without a suspension of operations and temporary layoff of the workforce.

Following today’s meeting, Unite and Connect issued the following statement:

“Notwithstanding the fact that unions are still awaiting full disclosure of Tara Mines’ current and projected profits, Unite and Connect are determined to engage fully in a process with management, and have therefore put forward realistic cost-saving proposals which our members believe could result in significant savings while protecting our members’ jobs and conditions.

“We would urge management to engage constructively with the proposals put forward by our members – the workers who have made Tara Mines the successful operation it is today. 

“However, both local management and the management of Tara Mines’ Swedish parent company Boliden should be in no doubt that, while we are engaging in this process, Unite and Connect are also continuing to explore all other avenues to keep Tara Mines open and protect our members’ terms and conditions.

“Unite and Connect also reiterate our position that any grants from the Irish government or the EU must be made contingent on Boliden reversing its decision to suspend operations at Tara Mines”, the statement concluded.