Workers staging a protest at the gates of Tara Mines called off their action yesterday after a deal was struck at the Workplace Relations Commission.
Staff are due to meet on Monday to discuss the agreement – brokered overnight on Friday – ahead of a ballot to be held on Tuesday. Under the deal, workers will be offered an extra allowance on top of State benefits, but up to 650 employees are still set to be laid off next Friday.
There will be an increase in the number of workers carrying out “care and maintenance” work at the zinc mine, previously agreed at 40, after its closure. Unions Siptu, Unite and Connect said they had secured a guarantee that staff will return to work on their existing terms and conditions when the mine reopens.
Swedish owner Boliden has given no indication when the mine in Navan, Co Meath will reopen.
Read more: Hundreds of Tara Mines worker layoffs send shockwaves through community
Siptu divisional organiser Adrian Kane said a retainer will be paid on top of jobseekers benefit for those laid off, under new proposals. He said: “It was a long, difficult, negotiation over the last number of days but we have done the best we can given the very difficult circumstances.”
Mr Kane said the closure of the mines highlights the “poverty” of the value of payments available in the Social Protection scheme.
“The decision has been taken to safeguard the long-term future of the mine and the management team will remain in dialogue with employees and stakeholders throughout,” the company said.
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