Unions secure core pay for remaining workers, improved voluntary redundancy terms

Unite, which represents craft and staff grades at Tara Mines, today (Wednesday) said that the proposed agreement negotiated last night at the Workplace Relations Commission represents a significant improvement on the scheme proposed by Tara Mines owner Boliden in January. The union said that, if the agreement is accepted by a ballot of workers, the company must commit to the long-term future of Tara Mines.

The proposed agreement stipulates that all redundancies will be voluntary where they arise, and unions have secured redundancy terms of five weeks per year of service capped at two years – a significant improvement on the company’s original proposals. The voluntary severance process is expected to take approximately one month.

Unions have also secured core pay for the remaining workforce, with bonuses and other payments to be negotiated.

Commenting, Unite regional officer Brian Hewitt said:

“Notwithstanding the improved terms secured by unions, the voluntary redundancies envisaged in the proposed agreement represent a major blow to workers and the local economy.

“Unions have succeeded in protecting the core pay of the remaining workforce and Unite will be working in the coming weeks to maximise bonuses and productivity payments for our members.

“If the agreement is accepted by workers, we would urge Boliden to set a firm date for the re-opening to be completed, and to give workers an assurance that the company is committed to Tara Mines’ long-term future”.