Industrial action at Tara Mines not ruled out ahead of meeting with Minister

The SIPTU trade union has warned it will consider industrial action at Tara Mines as representatives prepare to meet with Enterprise Minister, Simon Coveney, tomorrow (Wednesday) to discuss the threat to the future of the mine.

The union will be meeting with the Minister to discuss actions needed to safeguard Navan’s vital economic facility.

The union has accused the company of attempting to rip up negotiated agreements and downgrade the hard-fought for terms and conditions of employment of our members.

"In doing this, it is reneging on an absolute commitment it made to the 650 workers directly employed at Tara Mines that they would return to work with their full terms and conditions of employment intact,” said SIPTU TEAC Division Organiser, Adrian Kane.

Meanwhile the UNITE trade union has said alternative ownership must be on the agenda for Tara Mines in order to safeguard a vital national asset and expressed outrage at proposals advanced by the company which would cut the workforce by over one-third while reducing the terms and conditions of remaining workers.

The company presented a mine rescue plan to the workers last week in which it said current levels of utilisation and costs are unsustainable and that the mine will not reopen unless and until costs and inefficiencies have been addressed.

As well as a voluntary severance scheme they company outlined proposals that included a new style company union agreement, a pay pause for 2024, the introduction of performance management process for all employees, compulsory redeployment and retraining policies, acceptance and implementation of all new technology in a timely manner, better management of annual leave and toil policies, a revised sick pay scheme and bonus schemes to be reviewed in line with achievement of targets.

SIPTU TEAC Division Organiser, Adrian Kane, said: “We have requested an urgent meeting with the Minister in order to relay to him the need for government action to support the swift return to operation of Tara Mines and protect the hundreds of good quality jobs which it provides.

“Boliden, the owners of Tara Mines, presented a so-called ‘rescue plan’ for the mine last Tuesday (9th January) at a meeting with union representatives at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). It is clear from this document that the market price of zinc is no longer the key factor in the timing of the mine’s return to operation.

“Rather, the ‘rescue plan’ includes a pre-condition that a new agreement with the Tara Mines Group of Unions must be secured prior to any of the workers returning to employment.

“It is clear the company is intent on attempting to rip up negotiated agreements and downgrade the hard-fought for terms and conditions of employment of our members. In doing this, it is reneging on an absolute commitment it made to the 650 workers directly employed at Tara Mines that they would return to work with their full terms and conditions of employment intact.”

“This is not a situation we will accept. We must now consider all options, including industrial action, to protect our members’ livelihoods and the wider economy of Meath and beyond.”

SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan said: “The original reason management stated it was placing the mine into care and maintenance was that the market price of zinc had fallen to a degree that made its operation uneconomical. Once the price had returned to an adequate level, the mine was to recommence operation and workers would return to their jobs on their existing terms and conditions. It has now reneged on this position.

“Following the meeting with the Minister, the union will be calling together its shop stewards in Tara Mines at 6pm tomorrow in the Dan Shaw Centre in Navan. At this meeting the union’s response to the activities of the company will be discussed. Among the options that will be considered is a ballot for industrial action.”

Union representatives are scheduled to attend with Tara Mines management a WRC conciliation meeting on Monday, 22nd January, in Lansdowne House in Dublin.

The UNITE trade union has said alternative ownership must be on the agenda for Tara Mines.

The union points out Enterprise Ireland is actively engaging with the company on supports that can aid a resumption of operations.

The unions says such supports must be made contingent on the company setting an early and firm reopening date, with a cast iron guarantee that they will maintain existing jobs, terms and conditions.

“In the absence of such an undertaking, Minister Coveney should instruct the agencies under his auspices to work with Tara’s employees to find an alternative investor. In the interim, to protect this vital national resource and the associated jobs and skills, the government should consider taking Tara Mines into protective ownership.”