Refuse strike feared as talks collapse

FEARS are growing of a refuse strike in Waterford city just weeks before the arrival of the Tall Ships’ Race, after talks between city council officials and maintenance staff broke down last night.

Labour Relations Commission talks between senior officials at the City Council and negotiators with trade union SIPTU broke down yesterday afternoon. Several of the issues raised have now been referred to the Labour Court.

Union negotiator Davy Lane said maintenance staff with the local authority had a number of grievances which they were trying to resolve with the employers.

“Most of the issues we raised have now gone to the Labour Court,” said Mr Lane

“We were very disappointed that no senior management from the city council bothered to attend these talks. They sent on a HR manager who said he was not in a position to make a decision on anything.

“We are very annoyed and very frustrated at this point. It is quite clear from today’s proceedings that the city council only wants to drag out this procedure. There was no meaningful attempt to resolve the issues.”

SIPTU members have already voted in favour of industrial action and have received official sanction from union headquarters for such a move. The union would have to serve the council with two weeks’ notice before beginning a strike. Mr Lane fears that such action may well be on the cards at this point.

Last month, bins were not collected in the city for one day and maintenance works, such as street-cleaning and upkeep of parks, was abandoned until the matter was resolved and an LRC date fixed.

A Waterford City Council spokesman said they were happy with progress made. He said several issues had been referred to the Labour Court and others would be dealt with at the reconvened talks in mid-May.