The Bord Na Mona workers have decided to escalate industrial action with a two day stoppage on 27th and 28th June. Their union group held discussions in Tullamore, county Offaly on Monday (11th June) ,during which the group of unions assessed the impact and response to the one day stoppage last week. The unions are under pressure from the workers who rejected a pathetic deal were they would only recieve half of their demands.
“As the company ignored the one day stoppage on 5th June we were left with no choice but to escalate to a two day action,” the chairman of the group of unions, Oliver McDonagh of SIPTU said.
Bord na Mona recently announced an increase in profits of 23pc to E12.9 million last year from E10.5 million the previous year.
It also revealed pre tax profits of E72.7 million for the year (ending March 2011) - an increase of 12.6pc from E64.6 million the year before.
Turnover was E382.1 million, just down 0.6pc from E384.4 in 2009/2010. A dividend of E3.5 million was paid to shareholders
The average number of people employed in the group was down slightly from 2,136 to 2,122.
Bord na Mona Group CEO, Gabriel D'Arcy, said: "Bord na Mona recorded increased earnings growth last year for the fifth year in a row"
Then why oh why is this profitable company reluctant to give the workers the 3.5% pay rise they demand?
The company wants to only give them half that and the other half only under certain conditions.
Socialist worker fully supports the workers
Victory to the Bord na Mona workers!