SIPTU members in Premier Periclase Ltd vote to accept proposals to end strike

Date Released: 16 October 2020

SIPTU members in Premier Periclase Ltd in Drogheda, county Louth, have today (Friday, 16th October) voted to accept proposals contained in a Labour Court recommendation and bring to an end a long running strike at the magnesium production plant.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan, said: “The main issues in this dispute, which resulted in a nine week strike by SIPTU members, was a refusal by management to continue to pay workers who were on sick leave in line with an agreed sick pay scheme and its unilateral decision to shut down the plant for four weeks in June.

“The Labour Court recommendation states that ‘an employee whose illness occurs prior to lay-off or industrial action and is in benefit in accordance with the provisions of the Sick Pay scheme prior to such events’ should not see their payment removed or reduced in value during the industrial action or period of layoff.”

He added: “The recommendation also deals with pension provisions, the use of contractors during a lay-off period at the plant, the retention of the current 1998 collective agreement and the restoration of the payment of union contributions at source.”

SIPTU Organiser, Stephen Lewis, said: “The vote by our members to accept this comprehensive recommendation now provides the basis for the company and its employees to rebuild the positive approach to industrial relations that has been the norm at Premier Periclase Ltd over the last 40 years. SIPTU members at the company greatly appreciate the intervention of the Labour Court which has allowed for a positive conclusion to this dispute.”