The long-running dispute at Tara Mines seems certain to escalate this week as the company expands its use of Canadian contract miners. Their introduction is likely to raise tensions.
Mr Jack O'Connor, SIPTU regional secretary, yesterday said he was still relying on media reports for information on the company's intentions. He added that he was writing to Tara today seeking information on its plans.
He said the company had not notified him of its decision to recruit extra contract miners last Friday when he informed it that SIPTU members had rejected proposals for a new shift pattern. "We want to know if the company wants to conduct its industrial relations over the airwaves. If so, we can deal with that," he said yesterday. Mr John Kelly, the human resource manager at Tara Mines, later rejected Mr O'Connor's claims. He said the company had told SIPTU last month that more contract miners would be used if the new work practices were rejected.
SIPTU intends raising the question of work permits with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Justice. Both Departments have been informed by Tara of its use of Canadian employees, who are being allowed to work on a temporary contract basis.
The chairman of Meath County Council, Mr Brian Fitzgerald, has called on both sides to reflect. Yesterday he said: "The thought of Tara Mines closing does not bear thinking about. It is far too important to Navan and Co Meath generally."
However, the parent company, Outkompu, has made it clear that if it cannot restore productivity levels at Navan it will close the mine.