Kyte workers to go on strike again

SIPTU members employed by Kyte Powertech in Cavan Town will restart their campaign of strike and industrial action later this week.

A 24-hour work stoppage last week was “deferred” following news of the death of colleague Frank Nulty.

The action will resume again this coming Friday, August 26.

More than 450 people are employed at the Cavan Town plant, with approximately 360 SIPTU members, 88% voted by ballot in favour of rejecting earlier Labour Court pay deal recommendations. Central to their dispute is the rate of pay versus the rising cost of living.

SIPTU Organiser, Martin O’Rourke, said union members “reluctantly” voted in favour of strike action “only after pursuing every other avenue open to them in their efforts to secure a pay increase that protects their standard of living and purchasing power.

Management at Kyte meanwhile stated that the company had accepted the Labour Court recommendation on enhanced pay, even though it went “beyond” what they were initially prepared to pay.

This, they claim, was done “in the interests of maintaining good industrial relations”.

“Sadly, the employees have chosen to reject the Labour Court recommendation,” said management in a statement to The Anglo-Celt.

They add that given the “challenging and uncertain” business context, Kyte cannot afford to further increase costs beyond the Labour Court recommendation which the company views “as the only basis” for a solution.