This article is from page 12 of the 2014-06-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
STAFF at Roadstone Woods in Bunratty will today begin their eight day of picketing in a dispute with the management over proposed cuts to bonuses.
Members of the SIPTU and TEEU unions agreed a six million euro cost saving package with the company in 2012 but the current dispute centres around a further € 10 million in cuts proposed by management.
According to local SIPTU rep Davy Lane, this cut will cost Clare staff in the region of € 20,000 between now and 2019 – when the proposed deal would expire.
“We have already absorbed more than € 6 million in saving for the company and now they are coming back looking to take another € 10 million.
“It became clear in the run up to the strike that the company would not budge on this € 10 million,” he said.
“This mean that our lads will loose bonus payment which are part of the wage structure.
“The loss to each of our members between now and 2019 is € 20,000. We told the management that that is not sustainable and we wanted a realistic proposition from them in relation to the cost savings.”
According to SIPTU the standoff is hurting both Roadstone Wood and its employees and is urging the company to go to the Labours Relations Com- mittee to discuss the situation.
“The picket started in Monday the 16th. We think at this stage that the cost to the company could be around € 5 million.
“The LRC (Labour Relations Commission) are in the background and SIPTU will always accept an invitation to attend the LRC. It’s a matter for the company whether they wish to avail of the LRC,” continued Mr Lane. The strikers are receiving strike benefit from the union.
“They are down a weeks wages at this stage so they are not doing too great, and the prospect of a second week ahead.
“Everybody is losing with this, but it is a matter for the company to move on this.”