Tara Mines: Unite and Connect warn Boliden against cutting costs on backs of workers in Ireland

Posted on June 19, 2023 by unitetheunion

Company repeatedly fails to provide profit details as workers face layoff

In a joint statement issued after a meeting between unions and management at Tara Mines today (Monday), trade unions Unite and Connect said that management has repeatedly failed to provide information on current and future profits generated by Tara mines, choosing instead to focus solely on their cost base.  Pointing out that the Boliden group, of which Tara Mines is a subsidiary, is an exceptionally profitable company returning significant dividends to its shareholders, the unions warned Boliden against attempting to cut operating costs on the backs of workers in Ireland.

Commenting, Unite Regional Officer Brian Hewitt said:

“It is clear from both the parent group’s annual reports and the accounts of their Irish operations that Tara Mines is an integral part of the Boliden group, which has been consistently profitable over the past thirteen years. 

“In the absence of evidence to the contrary, it appears to us that the decision to suspend operations at Tara was taken to reduce Boliden’s operating costs at a time when zinc prices are temporarily falling and demand can be met from inventory.  Indeed, it is noteworthy that zinc prices rose by 3% following Boliden’s announcement regarding Tara”.

Connect Regional Organiser Tom Faulkner added:

“To date Boliden has failed to provide any real financial justification for their decision to suspend operations at Tara.  In particular, they have repeatedly failed to provide details regarding current and projected profits, preferring to focus on costs.  Even with regard to costs, the figures provided by management have fluctuated from meeting to meeting.

“Our members believe it is no coincidence that the announcement regarding Tara was made following an extensive fire at the Rönnskär copper smelting plant in Sweden which forced the suspension of operations there, and is likely to be associated with significant repair and clean-up costs.

“Our members should not be asked to pay the price for difficulties that Boliden may be experiencing elsewhere”.

Concluding, Brian Hewitt of Unite said:

“We are calling on Boliden to immediately reverse their decision to suspend operations at Tara.

“We would also urge the Government to make any assistance to Tara Mines, as well as future licenses, contingent on Boliden reversing its decision”, Mr Hewitt said.

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Workers at Survitec in Dunmurry end strike after securing 10 percent pay increase

Posted on June 14, 2023 by Unite the union NI

After ten days of strike action at Dunmurry-based manufacturer workers vote by two-thirds majority to accept significantly increased pay offer

The strike at Survitec, a manufacturer of marine life-saving equipment, based at Dunmurry has ended after striking workers voted to accept a significantly improved pay offer from management. The workers voted on picket lines with a 67% majority to accept the deal and end their ten-day all-out strike action. 

The deal will provide the lowest paid workers with a 10% increase and with higher paid workers receiving 9% with a further one percent non-consolidated. The one-year pay deal will be fully backdated and represents a huge uplift from the original offer made by management and even the 6% offered by bosses on the eve of the strike action.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham congratulated the workforce on securing much improved pay increase.

“The workers at Survitec have voted with a two to one majority to accept a much improved pay offer from management. This will see the lowest paid workers receiving a fully-consolidated 10% and is considerably more than this company was offering even on the eve of their strike action.

“This successful outcome has been achieved by the workers’ organising and taking action. After ten days they have secured an increase that provides some protection in the current cost of living crisis. Unite is delivering on members’ jobs, pay and conditions.”

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Education Authority workers in Unite set to commence first day of seven day strike action

Posted on June 14, 2023 by Unite the union NI

Strike follows Secretary of State’s punitive budget that left Education Department unable to deliver pay & grading business case

Unite the union members employed by the Education Authority are set to commence seven days of strike action tomorrow [15th June]. The industrial action follows an overwhelming ballot result in which 94% of Unite members voted for strike action.

The strike results from the failure of the Department of Education to implement a pay and grading review. The review would see significant increases to the pay of Education Authority workers but its implementation has been prevented as a result of the punitive budget set for the Department by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

The strike involves more than 700 education workers and will extend for seven weekdays. Schools across Northern Ireland are likely to experience significant disruption as a result as Unite’s membership includes school bus drivers, escorts and maintenance workers, catering staff, classroom assistants, playground supervisors, school administrative staff, cleaners, building supervisors and ground maintenance staff.

The General Secretary of Unite, Sharon Graham, committed her union’s full support for the striking education workers.

“It is totally unacceptable education workers in Northern Ireland have been denied this improvement as a result of this punishing budget set by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. This budget is not enough to maintain education services – let alone offer any protection to education workers in the worst cost of living crisis in a generation.

“Chris Heaton-Harris’ brutal austerity budget is the cause of this strike action. Unite’s members working in education can be guaranteed the full support of this union in their fight for decent wages and to safeguard education services in Northern Ireland.”

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Workers vote to accept significantly improved pay deal at Creative Composites

Posted on June 12, 2023 by Unite the union NI

Ballot returns 68 percent vote to accept improved offer and end strike after two days.

Unite the union members employed at Lisburn-based manufacturer Creative Composites have ended their strike action after two days after workers voted to accept a significantly improved pay offer.

The two year deal provides a guaranteed 13 percent pay increase to all workers – with those on lower pay grades receiving up to 17.3 percent.

The pay increase will be backdated to the beginning of the year with workers receiving a further one-off payment of £250 at the end of the year. The pay deal is more than double what was initially offered by the employer (4.5%) and significantly more for the lowest paid than the last ditch offer made by management ahead of strike action (a two-year deal worth 12%).

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham congratulated the workers on the successful end to their strike action.

“Yet again we see that workers can win significantly improved pay increases through collective organisation and action. The workers of Creative Composites have more than doubled the initial offer made by their employer – and secured some protection for themselves in this cost of living crisis. Question want a better deal? Answer Join Unite!” 

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Workers at Lisburn-based Creative Composites all-out strike action enters second day

Posted on June 9, 2023 by Unite the union NI

Employees at Creative Composites, the Lisburn-based car parts manufacturer, are taking their second day of strike action seeking an inflation proof pay increase.

The strike action follows a ballot of workers in which there was unanimity for industrial action, up to an including strike.

Unite the union understands that the strike action has effectively shut down production at the factory which provides plastic components for a variety of vehicle manufacturers including Hyster-Yale, Wrightbus as well as high profile sports car builders such as Lotus and McLauren.

Unite the union General Secretary Sharon Graham offered her encouragement to the workforce.

“Workers at Creative Composites are understandably fighting for a pay rise that offers genuine protection from the impact of inflation. At a time when corporate profits are hitting all-time highs workers believe they should have a share of the spoils. And rightly so 

“Creative Composites is a highly successful manufacturer with a bulging order book. Management need to return to the negotiating table with a pay increase that meets what the union are asking for. That’s what’s needed to get a deal that ends the strike. Simple.”

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