Bins may go uncollected in Kildare as Bord na Móna workers plan major strike action

SIPTU members employed at Ireland's Bord na Móna Recycling have rejected (61% to 39%) a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) proposal aimed at resolving the protracted privatisation dispute.

The workers will now serve notice of strike action on the company, which could affect bin collections in County Kildare.

SIPTU Divisional Organiser Adrian Kane said: “The strike committee met last night and unanimously agreed to reinstate the notice of strike and industrial action. Notice has been served on the company today, and our members are determined to see this through.

“The planned action will begin with a one-day strike on Thursday, 19th June, escalating to two days the following week and three days the week after. Our members don’t want to be in this position but feel they have no choice.”

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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.

He added: “The fire sale of Bord na Móna Recycling is bad for workers, customers, and the environment. It makes no economic or environmental sense. The Department has initiated a consultation on transitioning to single-tender provision per local authority area, so why privatise the last remaining publicly owned domestic waste provider?”

In a statement, a spokesperson from Bord na Móna replied: "Bord na Móna Recycling has received confirmation of notice of industrial action by SIPTU following the rejection of the proposals presented by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

"This is extremely disappointing as our agreed Industrial Relations (IR) 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.

"We remain committed to reaching a resolution and urge SIPTU to fully engage with our agreed IR procedures, setting aside this action to allow the matter to be referred to The Labour Court."