Alternative ownership must be on agenda

January 9th: Speaking following a conciliation hearing held today (Tuesday) at the Workplace Relations Commission, trade union Unite – which represents craft and staff grades at Tara Mines – expressed outrage at proposals advanced by the company which would cut the workforce by over one-third while reducing the terms and conditions of remaining workers.  The company has also issued a redundancy scheme which is significantly worse than that previously agreed with unions.

Unite said that, unless the company withdraws what the union termed an unacceptable approach to workers’ jobs, terms and conditions when the WRC reconvenes on 22 January, and commits to a firm re-opening date, the Government must intervene to secure good jobs and skills at Tara.

The union said that alternative ownership must be on the agenda for Europe’s largest zinc mine in order to safeguard a vital national asset which can play a role in a low-carbon economy going forward.

Commenting, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

“It is now seven months since Boliden decided to suspend operations at Tara in a bid to cut the group’s costs on the backs of Irish workers.

“Unions put forward realistic proposals which could have resulted in significant savings while protecting jobs and living standards, but these were ignored and the company is now adopting a ‘slash-and-burn’ approach to workers’ jobs, pay and conditions.

“Boliden’s behaviour is completely unacceptable, and unless the company changes its tune the government must step in to secure the mine’s future.”

Regional coordinating officer Tom Fitzgerald added:

“Towards the end of last year, Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney confirmed that Tara Mines has been officially onboarded as an Enterprise Ireland client and the agency is actively engaging with the company on supports that can aid a resumption of operations. Such supports must be made contingent on the company setting an early and firm reopening date, with a cast iron guarantee that they will maintain existing jobs, terms and conditions.

“In the absence of such an undertaking, Minister Coveney should instruct the agencies under his auspices to work with Tara’s employees to find an alternative investor. In the interim, to protect this vital national resource and the associated jobs and skills, the government should consider taking Tara Mines into protective ownership.”