Sit-in at Tara Mines over ambulance communications
Underground workers at Tara Mines have been sitting in at the mine for the past five days in a dispute over ambulance communications.
SIPTU has confirmed that each shift of underground workers are protesting at plans to introduce a new radio system for the underground ambulance service, which they believe will not be as safe as the current telephone system.
The dispute has been continuing for the past five days with underground work at a standstill.
John Regan of SIPTU said there are health and safety concerns around the switching from a telephone operated ambulance system to a radio operated system.
'There are black spots in radio coverage underground,' he said.
'The current ambulance coverage phone system that has been operating for 35 years has never let the company down.
'This is very much a health and safety issue and not an industrial relations issue,' he said.
We have been unable to contact Boliden Tara Mines. Updates to follow.