The group of unions at Bord na Móna have condemned the company’s reported intention to privatise.
Mr Adrian Kane, Secretary of the Group of Unions, said staff at the company are among the lowest paid groups in the semi-state sector. "[Staff] have made a major contribution to the current financial success of the company. We are not about to allow the Board to sell off the assets to institutions interested only in quick profits and possibly breaking up the company," he said.
He warned that legislation is in place to maintain the State’s shareholding in the company and that he expected that the group of unions will insist on strict adherence to the terms of the 1998 Turf Development Act.
Earlier the general president, of the country’s largest union SIPTU, Mr Des Geraghty, said the company does not need to privatise in order to expand its activities.
"SIPTU believes that Bord na Móna has the scope to develop and it should be given all the support and flexibility necessary to maximise its economic activity, while diversifying into environmentally friendly activities," he said.
A report in today's Irish Timessuggests management at Bord na Móna want to take a stake in the company along with venture capitalists and institutional investors. A draft plan is reportedly agreed by the board and has already been submitted to the Departments of Finance and Public Enterprise.
Mr Kane believes the document referred to in today's Irish Timesis the Strategic Intent Policy that has been discussed by unions and management. He told ireland.comthat the document runs to over 40 pages and only contains three paragraphs that refer to company ownership.
"It is a look at the next five to ten years in terms of diversification and where Bord na Móna intends to go," he said, adding that the question of ownership has only come up in relation to financing future development.
"The real issue here is how the company is to be financed in order that its future is secured. The Group of Unions believe that there are many ways in which this can be done, whilst remaining in state ownership," Mr Kane said.
The plan is also said to contain a proposal to cut 350 of Bord na Móna’s 500 administrative staff and includes an employee share option scheme. The company employs 2,400 staff in full-time and seasonal employment and while best known for its peat briquettes and peat moss, it hopes to continue its ventures into horticultural products and environmental management.
But Mr Geraghty said privatisation was not in the interest of the country, warning that Bord na Móna’s extensive land-bank could fall pray to speculators.
Bord na Móna is the second biggest owner of State land after the State forestry company Coillte. Today’s report suggests the company wishes to turn over 70,000 hectares of its land to the State, retaining just 10,000 hectares.
Mr Kane said the group of unions had not been consulted on any proposal and that they would raise the matter through the worker director on the board and through the "normal industrial relations process".