ABOUT 350 workers at Tara Mines who are members of Siptu are to begin a ballot today on new proposals aimed at ending a dispute over work practices which could see the closure of the facility.
A result of the ballot on the proposals, which were drawn up by independent facilitator Janet Hughes, should be known by Thursday afternoon.
The document says that due to the collapse in zinc and lead prices in 2008 it was necessary for Tara Mines to reduce costs and increase productivity to remain viable in the future.
Under the new plan the mine would move from a 5½ day to a continuous seven-day operation on a four-shift cycle. The mine would operate every day except December 25th and 26th and payment for public holidays would be the same as general rates of pay.
The shift premium paid to workers for operating the new system would be increased from 26 per cent to 29 per cent. It is understood that this would still be less than the 33 per cent norm in the mining industry. However, the proposals allow for the issue of premium shift rates to be referred to the Labour Court.
The report says that the company’s budget does not allow for any pay increases this year. However, the firm already paid an additional 3 per cent last April and the additional 2½ per cent due under the national pay deal will be paid next year.
If the proposals are accepted in the ballot all workers who have to change shift patterns will receive a bonus of €1,400. The document says that this is recognition by management that the introduction of continuous operations in the mine would represent significant change to working arrangements.
The proposals also allow for workers to receive a further bonus of €1,000 in September 2009 and in April 2010 as well as €1,500 in January 2011 on the basis that mine production targets have been met.
The owner of the mine, Swedish company Boliden, will invest €56 million in the operation this year.
The company is also to recruit 10 additional mine labourers and three additional store men.
The proposals also state that the firm recognises that some longer-serving employees may have some difficulties with the new shift arrangement.
The proposals provide for a total of eight redundancy packages to be made available at the end of 2009 and a further eight at the end of 2010.
In a commentary on her proposals, Ms Hughes says that she is satisfied that there is no alternative to the plan if jobs and conditions at the mine are to be maintained.
“I do not normally include a commentary in proposals, but on this occasion I feel that it is necessary to express my views that if either side do not accept these proposals there will be an immediate loss of employment at Tara and the longer-term prospects for employment and conditions at the mine will also suffer,” she said.
“For all the difficulties associated with Plan 2009, it does involve some financial benefits to workers while giving an opportunity to maintain jobs and will give secure production to Boliden,” she added.