Waste collection services by Bord na Móna Recycling could be disrupted later this month after SIPTU members at the company served notice of strike action in a dispute over the planned sale of the business.
The workers have rejected a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) proposal aimed at resolving the row.
The action will begin with a one-day strike on Thursday 19 June, escalating to two days the following week and three days the week after.
Bord na Móna Recycling provides waste collection services for homes and businesses across Leinster and north Munster.
In February, Bord na Móna said it had reached an agreement to sell its recycling business to KWD Recycling, subject to regulatory approval.
SIPTU said the primary reason for rejecting the WRC proposal was the company’s failure to agree to a Registered Employment Agreement (REA), which would guarantee worker protections for terms and conditions in the event of a sale.
“The fire sale of Bord na Móna Recycling is bad for workers, customers, and the environment,” said SIPTU Divisional Organiser Adrian Kane.
“It makes no economic or environmental sense,” Mr Kane said.
Bord na Móna described the planned industrial action as “extremely disappointing”, adding that its agreed industrial relations procedures with SIPTU provide that the next stage is a referral of the matter to the Labour Court.
“If the action proceeds, we will endeavour to keep any disruption to waste collection services to a minimum, with alternative collections to be scheduled for impacted customers and will keep customer service channels available as usual to support customers,” a spokesperson said.
“We remain committed to reaching a resolution and urge SIPTU to fully engage with our agreed IR (Industrial Relations) procedures, setting aside this action to allow the matter to be referred to the Labour Court,” Bord na Móna said.
