Bord na Móna workers begin two-day strike over pay claim

Up to 1,500 workers at Bord na Móna will this morning begin a further two days of strike action over pay demands in a move which will add pressure to the company’s peat reserves.

Earlier this month, the staff staged a one-day all-out stoppage over their claim for a 3.5% pay increase in line with the first phase of the Towards 2016 national wage agreement. The company has consistently refused to make that payment.

A compromise deal was reached in April between management and a group of unions that would have seen staff being given 1.75% of basic pay from Apr 1, a performance-related payment worth up to 1.75% of basic pay paid in 2013, and a one-off lump sum of €800.