SIPTU condemns Tara management as negotiations fail to reach agreement

SIPTU representatives have condemned the Tara Mines management for its "abject failure" after weeks of negotiations failed to agree a facilitation process.

Workers at Tara Mines have been temporarily laid off for 130 days, which the union describes as a "national scandal."

Some 620 direct employees at the mine are affected with an estimated 2,000 workers affected overall.

The union says that management at the site had originally agreed to an independent facilitation process to resolve issues which would assist with the re-opening of the mine but has now reneged on that commitment.

John Regan, SIPTU Sector Organiser, said: "New Boliden unilaterally made the decision to put the mine into care and maintenance despite our best efforts. These included suggesting an independent facilitator to assist with the original 63 proposed changes to operational issues identified by the Group of Unions (GOU)."

Mr Regan said a letter from management's last Thursday confirmed that the company intends to stick with their own facilitator, thereby ruling out the joint facilitation process for which the Group of Unions had called.

"The GOU is urgently seeking a date for the reopening of the mine, an outline of voluntary redundancy terms and a request for a hearing of the Labour Court."

Andrew McGuinness, SIPTU Assistant Industrial Organiser, said: "It was clearly agreed in the terms of reference that the GOU would have a nominated facilitator in order to tackle the issues and bring the mine back into operation. The fact that this hasn't been respected is hugely disappointing.

"We are continuing to seek the involvement of senior management from the parent company in this process. They must urgently come to the table and help to resolve the issues that are preventing the reopening of the mine."

A spokesperson for Tara Mines said "We are doing everything we can to re-open the mine as soon as possible. We are working on the development of a rescue plan, designed to address operational challenges at Tara Mines, and want to work together with the group of unions on this.

"These operational challenges were one of the factors that led to the decision to temporarily enter care and maintenance. Ultimately the re-opening of the mine will be influenced by external market conditions, but the development of a rescue plan, which is within our control, will help to expedite the re-opening process.

"In order to help develop the plan, we agreed to hold a series of workshops attended by management, employees and union representatives. We believed the arrangements for the workshops were agreed by all parties, and we have agreed that the workshops should have an independent facilitator.

"We hope to resolve the issues regarding these arrangements swiftly, as we believe the workshops will be of benefit in the development of a rescue plan.

"We will continue to engage with the group of unions. We do not believe a reference to the Labour Court is necessary at this stage, although we will participate fully in the process."