Miners have voted narrowly to accept proposals to avert the closure of Tara Mines. Under new work arrangements they will operate a 10 1/2-hour shift system instead of the present eight-hour system.
SIPTU's regional secretary, Mr Jack O'Connor, said after yesterday's ballot: "The men have given everything that they have to give and if this does not work people will have to look elsewhere for scapegoats."
The workers voted by 118 to 105 to accept the new shift system.
The company has agreed to increase shift premiums from 20 per cent to 26 per cent of basic pay, which is worth about £20 a week extra, and it has given commitments on future promotions, deployment and recruitment of miners locally.
Other elements of the deal provide for miners to produce 23 per cent more ore, rather than the 31 per cent envisaged in the plan proposed by Outokompu, the mine's Finnish owners, and for the gradual elimination of the use of contract Canadian miners from direct production.
However, initially the number of Canadian miners involved in developing the new ore body discovered in the south-west quadrant at Tara will be increased to a maximum of 30.
Craftworkers, who will have to adjust their shift patterns to accommodate the miners, are not due to vote on the changes until Tuesday. The company declined to comment on the situation before that ballot.
Mr O'Connor thanked the chairman of Meath County Council, Mr Brian Fitzgerald, the rights commissioner, Ms Janet Hughes, and the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, for their help in facilitating the talks.