Support packages agreed for 650 laid-off employees from Tara Mines

The Swedish company announced last month that production and exploration at Europe’s largest zinc mine in Navan would stop temporarily.

Support packages for some 650 laid-off employees at Tara Mines have been agreed to following late-night Workplace Relations Commission discussions.

Boliden Tara Mines has confirmed agreement on a number of measures, including the support packages for employees during the period of care and maintenance, the care and maintenance plan and a review process.

SIPTU divisional organiser Adrian Kane said that although “nothing can undo the hardship that people are facing” the proposals reached through the WRC have “attempted to mitigate that.” A retainer is to be paid to workers during the temporary lay-off under the proposals reached at the WRC.

An increase in the number of employees who are to remain working throughout the care and maintenance period has been agreed to by the company.

Improved terms and conditions for those still employed at the mine throughout the care and maintenance period have also been secured.

And workers who may be re-employed if and when the mine reopens will also be guaranteed the same terms and conditions they left with under the proposals.

Talks between the three trade unions SIPTU, Unite, Connect and employer Boliden started at 10.30am on Friday and concluded after 1am this morning.

A protest outside the gates of Tara Mines, which began on Wednesday, has now been stood down and the three unions will recommend the deal to members.

“Stewards met this morning, there was an ongoing protest and that protest has been stood down," Mr Kane told the Irish Examiner.

“There will be a meeting of all union members on Monday evening and we’ll be balloting on the proposals that have come from the WRC.” An answer to the proposals is expected by the end of the week, he said.

"All unions will be recommending the proposals for acceptance. Nothing can undo the hardship that people are facing but we’ve attempted to mitigate that through the proposals."

The reopening of the mine will depend on external factors, primarily pricing, he said.

The Swedish company announced last month that production and exploration at Europe’s largest zinc mine in Navan would stop temporarily.

The mine would be put under “care and maintenance” within one month, leading to the loss of 650 jobs in the mine.

The company cited “unsustainable cash outflow” as the reason for the temporary closure, saying that a temporary halt to operations was necessary “to safeguard the long-term future of the mine.” 

Spiralling energy costs and a drop in zinc prices were among the reasons for suspending operations, according to Boliden, the owner of Tara Mines in Navan, Co Meath.

The operations will enter care and maintenance on July 14, Boliden has now confirmed.

“The decision has been taken to safeguard the long-term future of the mine and the management team will remain in dialogue with employees and stakeholders throughout this period,” a statement from the company said.

The agreement followed discussions with the group of unions under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission.

Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney, has welcomed the deal.

“This is a welcome agreement. The government will continue to work with unions and the company to safeguard jobs at Tara Mines and to get full operations returned as soon as possible,” Mr Coveney wrote on Twitter.