Forty workers at a Bord na Móna power station in Co Longford have been suspended over an unofficial industrial dispute.
The company said they had signalled they would refuse to return to work next Monday when the plant reopens after a shutdown for essential maintenance.
The power station had been set to close for 20 weeks, but the work was completed faster than expected and the plant would reopen four weeks early, a spokesman said.
He said the reopening of the Mount Dillon plant was described was “good news” for the compay and employees.
“During the period of the overhaul Bord na Móna transport workers affected were deployed to alternative work.
“As the overhaul was completed, all transport workers were requested to return to normal work on standard pay and conditions.”
The spokesman said the workers involved “refused to return to normal work and the company was left with no alternative but to suspend today the 40 workers involved in the unofficial industrial action.
“The company fails to understand the rationale and logic behind this unofficial and needless industrial action and calls on the workers to agree to return to normal work immediately.”
It is understood the workers are refusing to bring peat in to the station, claiming they are owed money for loss of earnings of about €100 a week while the power station was closed.
The matter was already due to go to the Labour Relations Commission.
Greg Ennis of Siptu said the union had been made aware of unofficial action taking place.
“Union officials will meet members in the morning (Friday) to try and resolve the dispute,” he said.
Additional reporting: PA