MORE THAN a third of the striking Bord na Móna workers at a power station in Co Longford are expected to return to work this morning.
Almost 40 transport workers were suspended two weeks ago after they took unofficial strike action.
A minority of the striking workers yesterday held a meeting. All those assembled indicated that they wanted to resume work this morning.
The workers are expected to meet with both management and unions at about 8am before the work resumes today.
Bord na Móna yesterday “welcomed” the return to work by the employees.
More than half of the striking workers have not indicated that they will return to work.
The employees would have received a pay packet this week for just two hours’ work and are facing the prospect of no pay next week.
The action is over the payment of overtime during a period when the Lough Ree power station was closed for extensive repairs.
Bord na Móna had agreed to redeploy workers and pay them wages while the plant closed for about four months.
When the plant reopened four weeks earlier than expected on August 12th the workers were due to go back to work on full pay.
They refused to return to work and were subsequently suspended.
The unofficial action has not received union support.
The non-payment of overtime when the station was closed is the main issue of concern for the workers.
