Knife-edge ballot predicted as miners vote on rescue plan

The future of Tara Mines still hangs in the balance this week as workers at the mine ballot on new proposals aimed at ending a dispute over work practices which could see the closure of the facility. The result of the ballot of 350 SIPTU workers is due on tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon, but craftworkers who are members of the Unite and TEEU trade unions will vote later in the week. Management at the Navan mine have indicated they would make a decision on the compromise proposals put forward by facilitator, Janet Hughes, when the results of the votes are known. Ms Hughes has warned that if either side rejects these proposals, there would be an immediate loss of employment at Tara and the longer-term prospects for employment and conditions at the mine would also suffer. The deadline for accepting cost-cutting plans for Europe"s largest lead and zinc mine has been extended from last Monday to Thursday 29th January. At a meeting of the SIPTU workers in Navan on Saturday, Ms Hughes outlined details of the compromise proposals and told workers that because of the collapse in zinc and lead prices in 2008, it was necessary for Tara to reduce costs and increase productivity to remain viable in the future. SIPTU branch secretary, John Regan, said it had been a constructive three-hour meeting at which a lot of questions had been asked by workers. He said there had been disappointment that a four-cycle shift had been included in the plan, but people seemed to be resigned. He predicted a tight margin in the ballot. Under the new plan, the mine would move from a 5½ day to a continuous seven-day operation on a four-shift cycle and would operate every day, except 25th and 26th December with payment for public holidays at the same rate as general rates of pay. The shift premium paid to workers for operating the new system would be increased from 26 per cent to 29 per cent. There will be no wage increases this year. However, the company already paid an additional three per cent last April and the additional 2½ per cent due under the national pay deal will be paid next year. If the proposals are accepted, all workers at Tara who have to change shift patterns will receive a bonus of €1,400, in recognition that this is a significant change to working arrangements. The proposals also allow for workers to receive a further bonus of €1,000 in September 2009 and in April 2010 as well as €1,500 in January 2011 if mine production targets have been met. The owner of the mine, Swedish company Boliden, says it will invest €56 million in the operation this year, plans to recruit 10 additional mine labourers and three additional storemen. The proposals also state that the firm recognises that some longer-serving employees may have some difficulties with the new shift arrangement and a total of eight voluntary redundancy packages will be made available at the end of 2009 and a further eight at the end of 2010. Ms Hughes said she was satisfied that there was no alternative to the plan if jobs and conditions at the mine were to be maintained.