Longford strikers end action

Just over half of the 40 striking Bord na Móna workers at a power station in Co Longford returned to work this morning.

Just over half of the 40 striking Bord na Móna workers at a power station in Co Longford returned to work this morning.

The transport workers were suspended two weeks ago after they took unofficial strike action over the payment of overtime during a period when the Lough Ree power station was closed for extensive repairs.

A minority of the striking workers yesterday held a meeting where they all indicated that they wanted to resume work this morning. Some 21 ended their strike today.

Bord na Móna yesterday “welcomed” the decision by the staff to return to work.

The remainder of the striking workers have not indicated that they will return to work.

The employees would have received a pay packet this week for just two hours’ work and are facing the prospect of no pay next week.

Bord na Móna had agreed to redeploy workers and pay them wages while the plant closed for about four months. When the plant reopened four weeks earlier than expected on August 12th the workers were due to go back to work on full pay.

They refused to return to work and were subsequently suspended.

The unofficial action has not received union support.

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Genevieve Carbery

Genevieve Carbery

Genevieve Carbery is Abroad Editor at The Irish Times