SIPTU has called on Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Darragh O’Brien, to meet Bord na Móna (BNM) Recycling workers to discuss the implications of legally binding commitments placed on the company’s proposed sale by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).
SIPTU Divisional Organiser, Adrian Kane, said: “The CCPC have placed a number of legally binding conditions on the proposed sale of Bord na Móna Recycling to the KWD Group. It is clear from the CCPC statement on the sale that the state agency is concerned about the monopolisation of the domestic waste market by a handful of private companies and the detrimental impact that this will have for consumers and the environment
“SIPTU members have raised many concerns about this sale of the last publicly owned domestic waste collection service. It would seem that the CCPC shares at least some of these concerns, in particular the impact this merger could have on competition in the domestic waste sector in Munster and Leinster.
“In its statement the CCPC has also reiterated its position that ‘the household waste collection market in Ireland is not delivering strong outcomes for consumers’, that ‘structural changes are required’ and that ‘an economic regulator’ for the sector should be established.
“We agree with this position and believe the most effective structural change to the market would be the State utilising Bord na Móna Recycling to provide a publicly owned alternative to the for profit private domestic waste companies. This is the approach in most other European countries and one that should not be squandered by its sale.
“Our members have on a number of occasions requested to meet Minister Darragh O’Brien to discuss the many issues surrounding this proposed sale. We are reiterating this request as the ball is now firmly in the Minister’s court as he has final sign off on whether the sale goes ahead or not.”
He added: “As well as the wider implications of this proposed sale and the other issues surrounding the domestic waste market, our members wish to discuss with him the protection of their terms and conditions of employment. They believe that he should be concerned about any removal of collective bargaining rights in the sector when the Programme for Government has a commitment for an ‘action plan’ to expand these rights to cover more of the economy.”