Bins in Tipperary could go uncollected if Bord na Móna strike action goes ahead

It is hoped that disruption to waste management services in Tipperary can be avoided as the threat of strike action looms at one recycling company.

Workers at Bord na Móna Recycling voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking industrial action last week in a row over the sale of the recycling aspect of Bord na Móna to a different company.

SIPTU members within Bord na Móna Recycling voted in favour of strike action by a margin of 95% in favour, 5% against in a row over the sale of the business.

Bord na Móna plan to sell the recycling aspect of its business to KWD Recycling, subject to regulatory approval.

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But staff within the company have concerns over the protection of workers’ terms and conditions of employment, which are threatened by a proposed privatisation.

Bord na Móna Recycling is the country’s last publicly owned domestic waste collection service.

However, it is hoped that a resolution will be found between the company and the staff, with a spokesperson for Bord na Móna Recycling saying that the company is “committed” to finding a solution.

It is not known how many customers in Tipperary could be impacted by any possible strike action.

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In a statement, the company spokesperson said: “Bord na Móna has engaged directly with SIPTU regarding its decision to sell Bord na Móna Recycling to KWD Recycling. If approved, the sale will enable the recycling business to achieve the scale and efficiency required for sustained growth, profitability and employment.

“As communicated to SIPTU and its members, all employees will continue to work for the recycling business with no change to their contractual terms and conditions of employment on handover to KWD Recycling if regulatory approval of the sale is secured.”

The spokesperson added that the decision to ballot for strike action “comes despite this confirmed continuity of employment and contractual terms, and without exhausting other agreed industrial relations resolution procedures.

“Bord na Móna will continue to engage with its employees and SIPTU and is committed to reaching a resolution,” the spokesperson added.

“Bord na Móna will endeavour to keep any disruption to waste collection services arising from the industrial action to a minimum, and our customer service channels are available as usual to support customers.”

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SIPTU Divisional Organiser, Adrian Kane, said: “Our members are clear in their aim of protecting the last remaining publicly owned domestic waste collection service which is the industry leader in terms of environmental responsibility, health and safety standards and workers’ rights.

“The attempt to sell off Bord na Móna Recycling was done behind the backs of its workers.

“It is a bad deal for them, the country and the future of waste collection in Ireland,” he added.