Connect trade union defers work stoppage at Meta data centre in Meath

Kenneth Fox

Connect has deferred a 24-hour work stoppage, due to start on Monday at the Meta Data Centre in Clonee, Co Meath.

It comes after it decided to refer the dispute to the Labour Court.

It says the position of the company’s boss, Anne O’Leary, as IBEC President will be untenable if the company refuses to engage with the State's industrial relations mechanisms.

Connect assistant general secretary, Brian Nolan, said: “Over the past 48 hours we have been inundated with correspondence and calls from various contractors, union members, politicians and media outlets in relation to the industrial action scheduled to commence tomorrow. Some of those contacting us have been misinformed about the dispute, being told that it concerns ‘union recognition’.

“We must be clear, this dispute concerns the failure of Meta to engage under the auspices of the Irish State’s industrial relations machinery to resolve matters of great concern to our members, namely a unilateral change to their terms and conditions of employment."

He said the dispute has become more complicated by the fact that Meta is not only represented by IBEC, but they also hold the Presidency of that organisation.

“In conjunction with our members we have decided to defer the planned action and instead make a referral to the Labour Court Under Section 20 of the Industrial Relations Act 1990, the outcome of which is binding on our Union.

"A failure by Meta/IBEC to attend the Labour Court on such a basis would make Anne O’Leary’s position as IBEC President untenable and would also call into question the credibility of the organisation’s role within Irish industrial and employment relations.”ns in Ireland," he said.