Proposed strike at refinery suspended
A planned strike by engineers at Aughinish Alumina refinery due to take place later this week has been suspended, and the dispute referred to the Labour Court. The suspension of the industrial action comes after High Court proceedings brought by the workers’ employer Murphy International Ltd (MIL), against trade union Unite were resolved following talks.
The workers had voted to go on strike in a dispute over pay and allowances. Co Kildare’s MIL employs 126 civil and mechanical operatives in the refinery’s production operations.
Last week, it launched proceedings aimed at securing a High Court injunction preventing the strike, which the company claimed could result in the refinery being shut down. MIL secured permission to serve short notice of proceedings against Unite.
The injunction application was due to be heard by the High Court. Following out-of-court talks between legal teams in both sides, Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds was informed by Mark Connaughton, for the company, the matter had been resolved and the case could be struck out.
Oisín Quinn, for Unite, said his side were consenting to that order. The parties have agreed the proposed industrial action is to be suspended and the matter referred to the Labour Court.
Previously the court heard MIL was informed earlier this month by Unite that its workers had voted to take a number of measures including picketing, and the withdrawal of labour. MIL claimed there was no valid trade dispute, as set out in the 1990 Industrial Relations Act, between the parties.
MIL also raised concerns about the validity of the secret ballot of the workers which was conducted by Unite in September. It claimed that had the strike proceeded as planned the refinery may have to cease operations, which would have serious consequences for MIL, its workers and all those involved in the operation of the refinery.
