Updated 8.17pm
SIPTU REPRESENTATIVES WILL enter into discussions with management at UPC Ireland following the company’s announcement that it is to implement 170 redundancies as part of a restructuring plan.
Substantial job losses at facilities in Limerick and Dublin are expected, with a lesser number of redundancies at its operations in Galway, Cork and Waterford.
Siptu said some operations will be relocated to the Philippines and others amalgamated.
Dennis Hynes, Siptu Organiser, said it is “with deep regret that our members at UPC Ireland were informed of the company’s plans to implement such a large number of redundancies”.
Management has stated that the redundancies are unavoidable due to the company’s decision to implement a restructuring plan which will see some operations relocated to the Philippines and others amalgamated. Out of the approximately 170 job losses over 100 relate to our members.
The changes will impact a number of divisions across the company, but primarily relate to activities in Customer Care, Sales and Field Operations
In a statement released this afternoon, UPC has said: “Where possible, redundancies will be achieved on a voluntary basis and it is hoped that available redeployment opportunities will minimise the impact on staff. ”
Th restructuring plan is expected to be completed by this summer.
Magnus Ternsjö, CEO of UPC, said the changes are “necessary to ensure the company remains competitive on all fronts and remains an agile and sustainable business”.
Discussions
The trade union is set to meet with management tomorrow morning in Limerick to begin discussions.
Hynes said these talks will continue, if necessary, throughout the statutory 30 days consultative period before any redundancies can be implemented.
The impact of these redundancies will be severe on workers and their families as well as the communities in which the workplaces are based.
“Over the coming days the focus for Siptu representatives will be on minimalising the final number of redundancies and ensuring the best terms are secured for the workers who will lose their jobs,” he added.
Unite, who represents as many as 150 people at the company, said it will also be engaging with management.
“Unite is obviously extremely disappointed at today’s announcement,” regional officer Brendan Byrne said. The union will aim to ensure that all redundancies are voluntary, and remaining workers are protected.
“We will be meeting our shop stewards next Tuesday morning, and will then be meeting with senior management,” he added.
Originally published 2.24pm
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