Townspark works face further delays over wages dispute

The long-awaited regeneration scheme for the Townspark local authority estate in Navan could be facing lengthy delays because of an industrial dispute involving the developer. The SIPTU trade union has warned that "we will do what we have to do" if the contract is awarded to Oliver Donlon Developments Ltd, as the union alleges the company owes a substantial sum in wages to employees who worked on other public projects in other counties. However, the company says that its temporary cashflow difficulties will be dealt with through resolution of claims it is pursuing against two local authorities around the country. The union's midlands branch has written to the Ministers for Finance and the Environment expressing concern at Meath County Council's decision to award the contract to the Mullingar-based contractor, who is due back before the Labour Court in September. The contracts for the project were due to have been signed on Friday 6th August but have since been postponed for two weeks for clarification on a couple of issues, according to Meath County Council. Henry O'Shea of SIPTU's midlands branch said the company was due back before the Labour Court on 4th September and claimed it owed some workers who had worked on public projects substantial sums. In his letter to the Minister for Finance, Mr O'Shea put on record his shock that the council felt it had no other option but to award this contract to this particular contractor. "We have been in contact with all public representatives of Navan Town Council/Meath County Council, as well as Minister John Gormley," he said. A spokesperson for Meath County Council said the contracts weren't signed on 6th August because of a couple of issues which needed clarification and the signing had been postponed for two weeks. The contractor's solicitors have informed the Meath Chronicle that their client is presently engaged in litigation with two local authorities arising out of substantial contractual claims for work undertaken for those authorities and that their client is confident of recovery in respect of them. "The circumstances giving rise to the claims have resulted in temporary cashflow difficulties which will be dealt with through resolution of the said claims," the solicitors added. Cllr Joe Reilly said he was aware of the difficulties in reaching an agreement at Townspark. "I have met with the union representatives and fully understand where they are coming from and I am acutely aware that the residents have waited several years to have their houses refurbished," he said. Cllr Reilly said he would like to see the refurbishment scheme start immediately and carried out by developers as quickly as possible in a manner that would provide value for money for the taxpayer and the residents. Cllr Anton McCabe said it was his understanding that the council's hands were tied, but the union was looking for normal entitlements for the workers involved in the dispute. Cllr Tommy Reilly said the people of Townspark had suffered for too long and the current problem was not of their making. He said the builder had met all the criteria and, as far as he was concerned, the union was coming in late in the day. "I hope there is no stalling in the works," he said.