The management of Edenderry Power Ltd has refused to refer a long running dispute at the Bord na Móna power plant in Edenderry, Co. Offaly, to the Labour Court.

SIPTU Organiser, John Regan, said: “SIPTU members are angry at the refusal of management to engage on the issues in dispute at the Labour Court. This refusal has been accompanied by threats from management to lay off workers and shut down the operation of the power plant.

“In response SIPTU is making a Section 20 (1) referral to the Labour Court. This means our members will be bound by any recommendation.”

He added: “The issues that will be referred include an outstanding 3.5% pay increase and the restoration of an annual pay review.  Also, the fact that management has failed to honour the workers’ terms and conditions of employment which should include collective bargaining rights within the Group of Unions structures in line with the rest of the Bord na Móna Group.”