Talks go late in bid to avert protest at Moneypoint power station

TALKS continued late into last night to try to avert strike action at one of the country’s largest power stations this morning.

The participants were trying avert a protest by 200 Polish workers at the Moneypoint plant in Co Clare, which is expected to force the plant to close down.

The workers, employed for a €350 million plant refurbishment, have not been paid for seven weeks and have been told they are losing their jobs as their employer, ZRE Katowicz, has been taken off the job by German contractor Lentjes. They were to be joined at today’s picket by 50 of the 230 permanent employees.

The ESB, Technical Engineering and Electrical Union and ZRE held talks with the Labour Relations Commission on Tuesday. Lentjes were unable to attend and the meeting broke up without resolution. A delegation from the firm attended the talks yesterday.

Eamon Devoy of the TEEU said the pay and work issues were central to any resolution.

He added: “This is the third time we have found vulnerable migrant workers treated as disposable human assets by the ESB and its contractors as soon as someone’s profit margins are affected. There have to be consequences for this type of socially irresponsible behaviour. That is why pickets will be going on Moneypoint if these workers do not receive the money to which they are entitled.”