LAST UPDATE | 8 Jul 2023

TRADE UNIONS HAVE recommended acceptance of proposals brokered at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in the early hours of this morning following a meeting with management from Tara Mines.

In a statement on 13 June, Swedish parent company Boliden confirmed that production and exploration at the mine would cease temporarily and the mine would be placed “under care and maintenance” within a month.

Gunnar Nyström, general manager of Tara Mines said: “This was not a decision we made lightly, but we simply have to stem the unsustainable cash outflow that we are currently experiencing, in order to safeguard the long-term future of the mine.”

This would involve the loss of 650 jobs at the Navan mine, which is Europe’s largest zinc mine.

Siptu, Connect and Unite trade unions have now recommended acceptance of proposals brokered at the WRC to provide enhanced support for workers laid off during the temporary closure. 

Siptu’s TEAC division organiser Adrian Kane said union representatives engaged in intensive talks with management over more than 48 hours at the WRC. 

“These talks have secured improved terms for our members facing lay off during a temporary closure of Tara Mines which is scheduled to commence on 14 July,” Kane said. 

“The deal is being recommended to our members by all the unions which represent workers in all grades at the mine,” he said.

The proposals provide a modest retainer allowance for workers who are being laid off. There is also an increase in the number of the people who will be retained for care and maintenance of the mine during its period of closure, he said. 

“The proposals include a guarantee that workers will return on the same terms and conditions of employment as they had secured when the mine ceases operation,” Kane added. 

“The proposals include the terms for a regular engagement between the company and unions in relation to the conditions that will see operations resume. These include a formal review of the situation on 12 October.”

Siptu sector organiser John Regan said that “while these proposals cannot replace the employment of workers who will be laid off, we have attempted to in some way meditate the hardship that our members and their families will have to endure in the coming months”. 

In a statement, Boliden Tara Mines said: “Following engaged discussions with the group of unions under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission, Boliden Tara Mines can confirm agreement on a number of measures.

“This includes the support packages for employees during the period of care and maintenance, the care and maintenance plan and a review process.”

The company said the operations will enter care and maintenance on 14 July.

“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 this period,” it said. 

Workers at the mine who are members of the Unite trade union on Thursday began a protest which they said was the “result of management intransigence”.

Minister for Employemnt Simon Coveney met with Meath TDs last week to discuss measures for supporting the impacted staff.