SIPTU members at Bord na Móna Recycling have deferred strike action planned for next week in a dispute over the proposed sale of the company.
The union said management had accepted in principle the concerns its members raised in relation to the protection of their terms and conditions of employment.
SIPTU said the deferral period will allow for talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) which are due to begin on Monday.
“We believe the most appropriate way to ensure our members terms and conditions of employment are protected is through the establishment of a Registered Employment Agreement,” said Adrian Kane, SIPTU Divisional Organiser.
“It remains the position of our members that selling the last remaining publicly owned domestic waste collection service into the private sector is a backwards step in relation to the future of the industry in Ireland,” Mr Kane said.
Last month, 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.
Bord na Móna Recycling provides waste collection services for homes and businesses across Leinster and north Munster.
Bord na Móna said it welcomes SIPTU’s decision to withdraw notice of strike action to allow for intervention from the WRC.
“Bord na Móna remains committed to the employee assurances outlined within its transition framework agreement, including continuity of existing terms and conditions and collective agreements, and it will continue to engage with SIPTU and the Workplace Relations Commission to finalise the framework agreement,” a spokesperson said.
“Bord na Móna will proceed with its waste collection services as usual next week,” the company added.
Read more: Bord na Móna Recycling workers ‘angry and frustrated’ over sale of business
