Talks over Polish workers' unpaid wages to resume
Talks aimed at resolving a dispute between unions and management over unpaid wages for 200 Polish ESB workers are to resume today.
The Technical Engineering and Electrical Union is seeking assurances about money owed and job security for employees working on a €350m refit at the Moneypoint power plant, Co Clare.
The TEEU and ESB bosses met at the Labour Relations Commission in Ennis yesterday but the discussions collapsed with no agreement.
Strike notice was served in the ESB on Monday evening and the TEEU threatened it would begin on Thursday morning unless negotiations moved forward.
Eamon Devoy, TEEU general secretary designate, said yesterday’s talks had been like a game of pass the parcel.
“The 200 Polish workers who have been left stranded without six weeks pay or jobs deserve better than this,” he said.
The workers, who are employed by subcontractor ZRE Katowicz, were told there was no work for them this week. Unions claims some workers have not been paid for six weeks.
Another contractor is taking the lead in the refit project at Moneypoint, German firm Lentjes.
Mr Devoy said all three companies had ignored appeals to sort out the wage problems and guarantee work.
The ESB group of unions is due to meet to discuss the dispute tomorrow and Lentjes are expected to join the LRC talks between unions and ESB management.
