Strike action at BNM Recycling called off after talks breakthrough

Strike action planned for Thursday morning at Bord na Móna Recycling has been called off after agreement was reached between union representatives and management. 

Strike action planned for Thursday morning at Bord na Móna Recycling has been called off after agreement was reached between union representatives and management. 

BNM Recycling, Ireland's last publicly owned domestic waste collection service, is to be sold to Munster waste management company KWD. Siptu representatives rejected a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) proposal aimed at solving the dispute as the union sought a Registered Employment Agreement which would protect members' terms and conditions.

A strike was due to begin in Dublin and across the Midlands at 4am on Thursday morning. However, union representatives met management of Bord na Móna Recycling in Portlaoise on Wednesday afternoon and an improved offer was reached with management.

"A significantly improved offer for workers who will be impacted by any sale of the company was secured," said Siptu divisional organiser, Adrian Kane. "This offer was discussed by the Siptu Bord na Móna Recycling shop stewards who unanimously agreed to propose acceptance of the offer to their members.

“The new offer will now be balloted on by Siptu members employed in Bord na Móna Recycling. While we have made major progress concerning the industrial relations matters related to the proposed sale of the company,  many concerns remain about the proposal to privatise this state asset and the wider direction of domestic waste services in Ireland.”   

A BNM Recycling spokesperson said the company was pleased the union was not progressing with the action. "Together with Siptu officials and representatives, we have worked together to address the outstanding concerns among our staff and the union. The agreed proposals provide a strong framework of assurances to protect existing terms and conditions for all employees, along with a continued commitment to engage with Siptu," the spokesperson said.

The strike action would have seen pickets placed on nine Bord na Móna Recycling depots across midland counties and Dublin. 

"While some alternative bin collections were arranged this week to limit disruption for our customers arising from the expected strike, our waste collection schedule will resume as usual from next week onwards. We would like to thank our customers for their understanding and remind them that our dedicated customer service channels are available for anyone who requires assistance," the BNM Recycling spokesperson said. 

BNM Recycling operates services in Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Limerick, Louth, Offaly, Meath, Tipperary, Westmeath, Wexford, and Wicklow. KWD operates waste and recycling services in Kerry, Cork, and Limerick. In April, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) cleared the proposed sale to KWD subject to KWD divesting a certain number of domestic and ‘commercial & industrial’ customers to another waste collection provider.