Bord Na Mόna Group of Unions seeks assurances over jobs from Bruton

The Bord Na Mόna Group of Unions (GOU) has criticised the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton, for failing to engage with it during his meetings with other stakeholders today. The GOU, which negotiates on behalf of workers at Bord Na Mόna, has said the Minister should have  met with it to discuss the future of more than 450 workers whose jobs under threat. The immediate threat to over 450 jobs follows the recent shut down of the peat fired plant at Lough Ree in county Longford and there is concern over its future and that of the Shannonbridge power plant in county Offaly. “While Mr Bruton met with worker directors during his visit today, he did not meet the Group of Union representatives who are responsible for negotiating on behalf of staff at Bord Na Mόna. We are seeking assurances in relation to the 150 workers, including seasonal employees, at Mountdillon and a further 300 workers who are involved in supplying peat to the Shannonbridge power station,” Willie Noone, the secretary of the GOU, said. “We also want an assurance from the Minister that there will be no compulsory redundancies at Bord Na Mόna and that he will urgently engage with worker representatives to discuss the future of the 2000 staff employed at the company and of the local communities which depend on these jobs.”