Updated 10.25pm
MORE THAN 400 jobs are to go in Dublin after Lufthansa Technik Airmotive announced it is closing its plant in Rathcoole.
Staff at the jet engine overhaul facility were served notice of termination of their employment today.
Workers had been warned last month that closing the company was being considered as an option as Lufthansa Technik faced declining revenues and shrinking international market opportunities.
The company held a 30-day process to consider closing the company as it consulted with trade unions and staff.
There has been no agreement with the three trade unions involved on severance terms for workers.
SIPTU has criticised management for serving redundancy on workers while negotiations at the Labour Court on redundancy terms are ongoing.
“Although this news is not unexpected… it is still a devastating blow to the workers and their families,” said Karl Byrne of SIPTU.
Byrne said that the Labour Court is fast tracking its discussions and a recommendation will be issued ‘as soon as possible’.
“We hope that all sides will respects the industrial relations process and that the affected workers can be provided with certainty in relation to their redundancy terms. This highly skilled workforce has been loyal to this company for many years. They deserve to be treated with respect and gratitude”.
Lufthansa Technik said today that an offer from an outside party to take over the facility did not lead to any acceptable solution.
Lufthansa Technik took a 60 per cent shareholding of Airmotive Ireland, which was set up by Aer Lingus, in 1997. It took full ownership in 1999.
Originally published 12.19pm
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