Workers at Irish Cement Ltd, Platin have commenced strike action in a dispute over what they claim is the company's failure to honour a Labour Court recommendation relating to the payment of outstanding monies to its employees.

Local newspaper, the Drogheda Independent reported that pickets were placed on the plant entrances on Tuesday morning at 8am following a decision to take industrial action by the Irish Cement Group of Unions which includes SIPTU, the 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 €5500 to €9500 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. The workers will maintain their industrial action until the Labour Court recommendation is implemented without any prior conditions.'

Over 100 workers are employed at the two production plants affected by the strike action.

In response, Irish Cement “condemned as irresponsible” the action, and said pay rates are currently 60 per cent higher than the average industrial wage for unionised staff.