Kildare Bin Collections Face Disruption As Bord Na Móna Workers Announce Strike

SIPTU Divisional Organiser Adrian Kane said said the main 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.

Thousands of households across Kildare face disruptions to their bin collection services.

SIPTU members employed at Bord na Móna Recycling have rejected 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.

The company has customers in Kildare, Laois, Carlow, Limerick, Meath, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow.

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. 

SIPTU Divisional Organiser Adrian Kane said said the main 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.

A spokesperson for Bord Na Mona said the company 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."

They added: "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."