Union warns of BNM strike threat

Bord na Móna could face industrial action from disgruntled staff unless it agrees to union demands for no compulsory redundancies and “significantly enhanced” voluntary redundancy and early retirement packages.

Communities all over Offaly and neighbouring midlands counties were left reeling on Wednesday when Bord na Móna confirmed that a voluntary redundancy programme is underway that could lead to the loss of between 380-430 jobs. Bord na Móna also brought forward plans to cease peat production from 2030 to 2028.

It had been widely expected that the semi-state body would announce that up to 150 jobs were to go as it moved towards decarbonisation. Colm Quinlan, regional officer with the trade union Unite, says that it was the “scale and the pace” of the job cuts that stunned workers.

In a letter sent by Unite to Bord na Móna that has been seen by the Offaly Independent, the trade union accuses the company of “dishonouring” a 2016 Labour Court agreement in which it made commitments to continue peat production until 2030 and keep redundancies to a minimum.

Bord na Móna had not responded to a request for comment at the time of going to press.

Unite has called on Bord na Móna to make: “A concrete commitment that will prevent compulsory redundancy in any circumstance.”

The union said its members will only depart on voluntary terms and must be provided with the opportunity to remain in employment.

If Bord na Móna does not agree to its demands on redundancies and redundancy and early retirement packages, Unite states that it will be calling on the Group of Unions “to immediately commence a ballot for industrial action”.

On Wednesday Bord na Móna said a key focus of its decarbonisation plan is ensuring that it remains a very significant employer in the midlands.

The decarbonisation strategy involves accelerating moves away from its traditional peat business into renewables, resource recovery and new sustainable businesses, which the company hopes will create 400-500 jobs in the midlands in the medium term.

Chief Executive Tom Donnellan said: “Decarbonisation is the biggest challenge facing this planet. For Bord na Móna it presents both a serious challenge and a national opportunity. By accelerating the move away from peat into renewable energy, resource recovery and new businesses we are supporting national policy and seizing the opportunity presented by decarbonisation.”

However, he said: “Decarbonisation means we must introduce a new structure it also means confronting some extremely difficult choices. It means that fewer people will be working in peat operations and also managerial and administrative roles across Bord na Móna".

It has been reported that Bord na Móna plans to close 17 peat producing bogs. The Offaly Independent requested the names of the 17 bogs scheduled for closure but at the time of writing had not received them.