SIPTU opposes any move to privatise Bord na Mona

SIPTU has expressed strong opposition to any move to privatise Bord na Mona.

It emerged earlier this week that the Government had given the semi-state company permission to pursue partnership deals with private firms.

Bord na Mona management said it hoped the move would allow the company to eventually leave state ownership.

However, SIPTU spokesman Padraig Mulligan said such a move would be totally unwarranted.

He said management and trade unions had worked together to make Bord na Mona a healthy and profitable business in recent years.

"Privatisation is something we would see as being a race to the bottom through the terms and conditions of employment of all Bord na Mona employees," he said.