Talks to prevent another Waterford refuse strike get under way today

TALKS aimed at preventing further industrial action get under way today between Waterford City Council and some of its maintenance staff.

Refuse services in Waterford city ground to a halt last month when municipal staff downed tools after an outside contractor was brought in to spray parks in the area. Work resumed, pending Labour Relations Commission talks which start this morning.

SIPTU’s Davy Lane said nobody knows what to expect from the talks. But all sides are hopeful that as many of their grievances as possible can be resolved.

SIPTU staff working in the service have already been balloted and have voted by a large majority in favour of industrial action.

“We’ve had no communication with the city council since the LRC intervened. If the talks break down, there is no other avenue open to us,” he said.

Relations between the union and the council soured in the wake of last month’s dispute when it was claimed that misleading and inaccurate comments were made about the dispute.

A spokesperson for Waterford City Council said some have been “selective in their interpretation” of discussions between his council and the union.