Unions and Management at Tara Mines are due back at the Work Place Relations Commission this morning in an effort to resolve their dispute over plans to temporarily close the facility.
650 staff are due to be temporarily laid off for an indefinite period from later this month as part of plans by the mines owners to suspend operations in a bid to cut costs.
The company's warned a protest by workers at the mines which began on Wednesday evening could jeopardise plans to safeguard the operation.
SIPTU Divisional Organiser, Adrian Kane says workers are justifiably frustrated at the lack of progress being made
"The lack of progress certainly has frustrated our members which split over into a protest," he explained. "The company communicated to us during the early hours of the morning to say that they would no longer attend the WRC and reversed their position."
