BNM Group of Unions to engage with management on future of Littleton plant
Bord na Móna (BNM) Group of Unions members, employed in the company’s peat briquette production facility in Littleton, County Tipperary, gave their representatives a mandate to negotiate with management on the future of the plant at a general meeting held in Littleton Community Centre, yesterday evening (Tuesday, 16th May).
BNM Group of Unions Secretary and SIPTU Organiser, John Regan, said: “At the meeting of members of SIPTU, the Connect Trade Union and Unite trade unions there was expression of real disappointment concerning the manner in which the company has treated workers in relation to its announcement that it is seeking to close the Littleton plant.”
“However, the workers have decided that they are prepared to provide management with the opportunity to put matters right by engaging meaningfully with their union representatives in agreeing an overall package concerning the possible closure of the plant.”
Unite Official, Ed Thompson, said: “The mandate that representatives of the BNM Group of Unions has been given covers a wide range of issues. These include, if there is agreement to end the operation of the plant, that there can only be voluntary redundancies and that a substantial redundancy package must form part of any wind down arrangement.”
Connect Trade Union Official, Darren Erangey, said: “Our members have also mandated that any wind down arrangement must include the provision of future employment opportunities to workers whose positions are lost, outplacement training and an up-skilling programme.”
