Power station workers call off stoppage
Workers at a power station in Co Clare tonight called off a day of protest after a sacked Polish shop steward and other union activists were re-employed at the Moneypoint plant.
The Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) had called for the work stoppage, which could have involved up to 900 staff, after the men were laid off by sub-contractor, ZRE Katowicz.
But the action was abandoned after the main contractor on the refurbishment of the power station, Lurgi-Lentjens, agreed to employ the three trade union activists and pay them the full sector rates and all allowances due to them.
TEEU Regional Secretary Pat Guilfoyle said the agreement of Lurgi-Lentjens to employ the sacked shop steward and his two colleagues meant there was now no need for the protest to go ahead.
“We have succeeded in our main objective, which was to secure the re-employment of our members and prevent them being victimised for demanding their rights and those of their fellow workers,” he said.
“I would like to thank the Powergen workers at Moneypoint and other trade unionists who pledged their support to our protest.
“This was an exemplary display of solidarity by workers who had nothing to gain by their actions except the satisfaction of seeing colleagues vindicated. That is what trade unionism is all about.”
The TEEU is to meet ZRE tomorrow in relation to outstanding issues, including arrears due to the sacked workers.
ZRE has also agreed to pay outstanding arrears to all employees by April 17. Polish workers with ZRE were only receiving €5.20 an hour instead of the sectoral rate of €18.97, plus allowances.
Labour Affairs Minister Tony Killeen had earlier appealed for all sides to take part in talks to resolve the matter.
“I would urge all parties to negotiate a settlement of this potential dispute and to use the services of the Labour Relation Commission to facilitate an early resolution to this issue,” he said.
