STRIKING workers at Wellman International near Kells, Co Meath, will meet tomorrow to discuss a set of proposals aimed at ending the dispute which has closed the company for 12 weeks.
The proposals will be drawn up by shop stewards and union officials. This follows a meeting yesterday which discussed a statement from the company announcing its intention to resume production next Wednesday.
Wellman International is today writing to all striking employees saying the company will resume production on Wednesday and asking them to return to work.
Directors believe that the draft agreement discussed at length with the SIPTU president and union representatives should form the basis for an agreed return to work," the company said in a statement.
Mr Joe Fagan, director of personnel at Wellman, said talks broke down last Friday because the union introduced a financial claim. However, he said that before the breakdown there had been broad agreement on a number of other issues and the company felt this was sufficient for the 260 strikers to return to work.
The works committee yesterday welcomed the company's statement, describing it as positive. "Firstly, it makes clear that the company intends to reopen the plant and this will allay the fears of many workers and their families and indeed others in the local community. Secondly, it clearly visualises an agreed basis for a return to work."
The statement was issued after a meeting which included a local official, Mr Pat Kiernan, and the SIPTU president, Mr Eddie Browne. Mr Browne said after the meeting that the union would work over the next 48 hours to reach an agreed set of proposals to put to a general meeting of workers tomorrow.
"During our recent discussions, both the company and the members of the works committee recognised that the scale and nature of the changes envisaged will necessitate adjustments on both sides. I am confident that the progress which has been achieved can and will be built on and that today's statements indicate a willingness to do just that."