SIPTU has called for a halt to the sale of Bord na Móna Recycling, claiming the move is counter to economic and environmental best practice.
On Friday, Bord na Móna said it had reached an agreement to sell its recycling business to KWD Recycling, subject to regulatory approval.
The company said that while the operation will no longer be part of the Bord na Móna group, employees will continue to work for the recycling business with no change to their contractual terms and conditions of employment on handover.
Last week, SIPTU members employed in Bord na Móna Recycling voted to conduct a ballot for strike action if plans to privatise the company went ahead.
“Our shop stewards committee will meet this evening to discuss the next actions in our industrial and political campaign,” said SIPTU Divisional Organiser, Adrian Kane.
“This proposed deal can be stopped by the new Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Darragh O’Brien.
“We will seek an urgent meeting with him in which our members and experts can outline the many concerns about this privatisation scheme,” Mr Kane said.
Bord na Móna Recycling provides waste collection services for homes and businesses across Leinster and north Munster.
“The transaction follows a strategic review conducted by Bord na Móna of its recycling business which concluded that a sale would enable the business to achieve the scale and efficiency required for sustained growth, profitability and employment,” the company said in a statement.
“Bord na Móna Recycling will continue to provide services as usual for its household and business customers pending regulatory approval of the transaction,” a spokesperson said.
The terms and value of the deal have not been disclosed.
