Kyte workers back on the picket line

WAGES Union rep warns of more protests and possible ramping up of industrial action

Kyte Powertech workers resumed strike action today in their bid to wrest pay increases from their employers and warn of future stoppages the coming weeks and a possible ramping up of their campaign.

Dozens of workers carrying SIPTU flags have pounded the footpath at the perimeter fence since 12.01am this morning.

Their initial 24 hour work-stoppage at the Dublin Road factory was postponed in light of the tragic death of colleague Frank Nulty in a hit and run accident on the N3 last week.

Sector organiser with SIPTU Martin O'Rourke asserted there had been no further contact with management over the pay dispute in the intervening days, however he stressed they are open to “meaningful discussions”.

“We remain available for resolution to the dispute, it has to be resolved at some stage, and it can only be resolved by talking,” said Mr O'Rourke.

Over occasional horn toots and blasts of support from passing cars and lorries, he said they were heartened by response of the public, and noted they had received donations of food and drink for local businesses.

Mr O'Rourke rejected the Celt's suggestion that many workers have had no pay rise and would bite the hand of employers offering the 3% rise which the Kyte workers have rejected.

“That's not our experience,” he said noting they are in numerous pay negotiations nationwide. “A lot of settlements are between 2.5-4%, but there's nobody biting the hand off their employer for those pay rises.”

He rattled off a litany of rising household bills generally, and added specifically “rents in Cavan have gone up dramatically” and concluded, “People just can't live on the wages they are on.”

“Our members aren't out on strike for the fun of it. They are not suffering a financial reduction in their wages for the fun of it. They are aware that inflation is sitting at 10% this year, possibly 10% next year according to the Central Bank and was 5.6% the year before. They are facing real and substantial reduction in their wages.”

Kyte Powertech previously described the employees’ decision to take industrial action as "regrettable".

A spokesperson for the company also detailed: "The company has accepted the Labour Court recommendation on enhanced pay, even though it went beyond what the company was prepared to pay, in the interests of maintaining good industrial relations. Sadly, the employees have chosen to reject the Labour Court recommendation.

"Given the challenging and uncertain business context, the company cannot afford to further increase labour costs beyond the Labour Court recommendation which the company views as the only basis for a solution."

Put to SIPTU's Mr O'Rourke that if the company, which employs 455 people – including approximately 360 SIPTU members, physically can't pay the workers' demands, are they concerned by possible redundancies or the profitability of the company would be imperilled?

“It's not like our members are saying inflation is 9% , and it was 5.6% the previous year, so we're seeking 14% just to stand still. They're not saying that – and if they were there would be justification for it. All they are looking for is to be able to send the kids back to school in September if they have to, heat the house, put food on the table and have enough petrol to drive to work. That's all.”

One worker who spoke on the condition of anonymity was a father and long term employee.

“Everything is going up except for the wages,” he remarked and observed the spiralling costs of living is a source of stress.

“You don't know if you are going to make the mortgage next month.”

The man was amongst the 88% to vote in favour of rejecting the WRD and Labour Court recommendations.

“ We felt we had no choice – this has been going on since 9th of September last year, when we had our first meeting.”

He describes the wage issue as “upsetting for everyone”.

“This was more or less a community for years, and now we're very much a community of us against [them], trying to stand up for ourselves.

“A lot of people who have been here for so long are feeling let down. We have to stand up for ourselves we have to do our best, and it will be hard, we know that.”

In the absence of a breakthrough, SIPTU workers have contingency plans for two more strikes next Thursday and Friday, and a further two – Friday and Saturday - the following week.

They will also hold a meeting next week in the Cavan Crystal Hotel to decide future course of action. Anticipating that meeting, Mr O'Rourke predicted: “My view would be - ramped up.”