Irish Cement strike enters its third week

Workers are calling on the company to honour a Labour Court recommendation relating to the payment of outstanding monies to its employees

STRIKE ACTION by workers at the Irish Cement Ltd production plants in Castlemungret, County Limerick, and Platin, County Meath, is in its third week.

Workers are calling on the company to honour a Labour Court recommendation relating to the payment of outstanding monies to its employees.

Pickets were placed on the entrances to the two plants on 3 April following a decision to take industrial action by the Irish Cement Group of Unions, which includes SIPTU, TEEU and Unite. 

Secretary of the Irish Cement Group of Unions, Karan O’Loughlin, said: “Earlier this year, the Labour Court made a recommendation that the company must pay monies which are outstanding to its employees which amount to between €5,500 to €9,500 per worker. 

“The Labour Court has recommended that Irish Cement Ltd immediately pay the monies it owes the workers but the company is insisting that a pay cut of between 15% and 18% is implemented first. Acceptance of such a pay cut does not form part of the Labour Court recommendation.

“This is the first strike action at Irish Cement in over three decades. Irish Cement workers have always attempted to maintain good industrial relations with management. However, they are steadfast in their resolve to continue this industrial action until this highly profitable company commits to paying them what they are owed without any prior conditions.”

Over 100 workers are employed at the two production plants affected by the strike action. Irish Cement Ltd is part of the CRH Group, one of the world’s largest building materials companies.